The appendix is an organ connected to the small intestine on the right side. This small organ typically won’t cause any issues, but it can sometimes become inflamed or infected or occasionally get blocked by feces. The inflammation is a medical emergency known as appendicitis. Because of the severity of this condition, many people want to know how to prevent appendicitis. There are some things you can do to prevent this condition or stop it from worsening, although immediate medical care will still be necessary.
Can You Prevent Appendicitis?
Before learning how to prevent appendicitis, you must figure out if doing so is even possible.
Unfortunately, you can’t prevent appendicitis.
Appendicitis will occur when the appendix is blocked and this frequently happens due to a foreign body, stool, or cancer. A blockage within the lining can result in infection and is the most likely cause of this issue. The bacteria causing the infection will multiply rapidly, leading to the appendix becoming inflamed and swollen as well as filled with pus. When it isn’t treated immediately, the appendix may rupture.
The good news, however, is that it occurs less frequently in those who eat high-fiber foods, including fresh fruits and vegetables so you can adjust your diet. If at some point you think you may have appendicitis, you should call your doctor right away to let him assess your state and recommend appropriate treatment.
Symptoms of Appendicitis
Although you can’t learn how to prevent appendicitis, you can prevent serious symptoms by learning to recognize the symptoms of appendicitis. This allows you to get treatment right away before your condition worsens.
Some of the possible appendicitis symptoms include:
- Abdominal bloating
- Diarrhea or constipation
- Low-grade fever that can worsen
- Loss of appetite
- Vomiting and nausea
- Pain which worsens when making jarring movements, coughing, or walking
- Sudden pain beginning near the navel and shifting to the lower right abdomen
- Sudden pain beginning on the lower right portion of the abdomen
The exact location of appendicitis pain can vary from person to person based on appendix position and age. Among pregnant women, the pain may originate from the upper abdomen since the appendix sits higher during pregnancy.
You should visit a doctor if you experience worrisome symptoms, such as severe abdominal pain.
How to Prevent Appendicitis Symptoms from Worsening
When toxic products accumulate in your body, this may lead to inflammation and irritation of the appendix. In some cases, further infection may be caused by the presence of germs in your intestinal tract. You can use natural cures to treat the pain associated with appendix safely and on a budget, but you should also talk to your doctor. Here are some natural prevention methods.
1. Mind Your Diet
Experts have found a significant correlation between diets low in fiber and appendicitis. Diets that are high in fiber may be gentle on the digestive system. To get enough soluble fiber, try eating fruits and vegetables. To get non-soluble fiber, eat whole grains, wheat bread, cucumber, celery, zucchini, and carrots. By following a proper, well-balanced diet, you can also help reduce your risk of appendicitis. Also, make sure to drink enough fluid so your body stays hydrated.
2. Water
No matter the stomach problem, water is a great treatment option and appendicitis is no exception. Warm water, in particular, is helpful, so try drinking it for three days in a row to see results. As a bonus, water will also help cleanse your bowels. You can also drink juice made using fresh fruits or apply a hot compress on your abdomen.
3. Fenugreek & Milk
It can help to drink tea made from fenugreek seeds. This will also serve the benefit of preventing mucus and pus from forming in excessive quantities within your appendix. You can also drink this fenugreek seed tea regularly to help with your overall health.
4. Ginger
Ginger is another effective cure at relieving appendix pain and it can be used with garlic. You can opt for either the raw or powdered form to relieve the pain as well as the swelling in your appendix. Another option is to combine ginger with turmeric as a way to reduce pain as well as inflammation. Ginger is particularly useful if vomiting is one of your symptoms of appendicitis and you can add salt to the ginger pieces if you want.
5. Mint & Basil
Try consuming a bit of mint with water as well. An easy way to do this is by adding two or three drops of essence of mint to water and drinking this every three or four hours. You can also try using basil as the leaves have been proven helpful. Try making an herbal decoction of basil leaves to help relieve your appendix pain and any fever associated with it.
6. Green Gram & Buttermilk
Green gram can help with acute appendix pain by providing relief as well as treating an infection. To use this remedy, soak a few handfuls of green gram in water, letting them sit overnight. Then have a teaspoon of the solution three times each day. Buttermilk can also help in the case of chronic appendix pain. Consider adding a pinch of salt to your buttermilk and drinking it three or four times daily.
How Is Appendicitis Treated?
Despite there being no method of how to prevent appendicitis, you can treat it. This typically involves surgery that removes the inflamed appendix. Prior to the surgery, patients take antibiotics as a way to prevent an infection.
The surgery can be in the form of open surgery with a single abdominal incision measuring between 2 and 4 inches. It is also possible to perform laparoscopic surgery, through several small incisions. The second option involves the use of a video camera and special tools. Laparoscopic surgery tends to give patients less scarring and pain as well as a faster recovery, making it ideal for those who are obese or elderly. It won’t, however, be an option in the case of an abscess, an infection which has gone past the appendix, or a ruptured appendix. You will most likely spend a day or two in the hospital following an appendectomy.