Appendix

Appendix


Appendix Treatment in India - Symptoms & Causes

There is a small, finger-shaped, pouch-like organ made up of intestinal tissue located between the small intestine and the colon known as the Appendix. When this appendix becomes infected, inflamed, or clogged, it is a medical condition known as Appendicitis. Appendicitis can cause intense pain in the abdomen. When the feces pass through the large intestine, sometimes it clogs the appendix which can cause infection. As the infection increases, it will cause the appendix to swell and lead to inflammation. Sometimes, the swelling increases and can result in the bursting of the appendix which is a medical emergency. Because of the busted appendix, the infection can then spread into the bloodstream which may lead to major complications. The standard treatment for this condition is surgical removal of appendix. The function of the appendix is unknown and it is not an essential organ. So, removing it does not cause any other problems in the body.

Many African people from countries like Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, and Tanzania visit India for the appendicitis operation as the cost of the treatment is much lower than many other countries. The Indian hospitals have the most updated infrastructure and extremely knowledgeable doctors. Also, the surgeons in Indian hospitals have undergone training in global institutes which helps to gain a vast knowledge in their own fields. The average cost of appendicitis in India starts from USD 1,500 and can go up to USD 2,000. The cost for the same in the USA ranges from USD 5,035 to USD 7,000.

What Are the Appendicitis Symptoms?

The very initial symptoms of an infected appendix are abdominal pain, loss of appetite, and nausea. First, the pain starts in the abdomen around the belly button. Then the pain increases and nausea develops. Then after a few hours, the pain starts in the lower right abdomen. Besides these, there are other appendicitis symptoms that you might have such as:

  • Fever
  • Diarrhea
  • Malaise
  • Frequent urge to urinate
  • Bloating in the abdomen
  • Constipation
  • Intense abdominal pain
  • Vomiting

If you are experiencing these symptoms, you should immediately consult your healthcare provider and start the treatment procedures.

What Are the Causes of a Diseased Appendix?

The most common appendicitis cause is an infection caused by bacteria. However, sometimes there may be other causes of the condition. Listed below are the possible appendicitis causes.

  • Appendix Stones: sometimes, there is the formation of calcified fecal deposits which become hard and are known as Fecaliths, also known as appendix stones. These appendix stones carry bacteria and get stuck at the opening of the appendix.
  • Worms or parasites that live in the digestive tract, including the pinworm
  • Colitis: when there is an infection in the colon it can give rise to Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis. This condition can further lead to infection in the appendix.
  • Trauma or damage to the abdomen
  • Due to the infection in the digestive system, there may be an enlargement of the lymph tissues on the sides of an appendix which can also lead to appendicitis.
  • Abnormal growth of cells which may be cancerous or non-cancerous.
  • Invasion of any foreign particles.

What are the Diagnostic Methods to Detect Appendicitis?

Your doctor will ask you about your symptoms first. And then he/she may examine your abdomen to determine whether you have appendicitis or not. Further, your doctor will recommend you have some tests done before confirming the condition. Following are the tests that your physicians perform.

A physical examination: Your doctor may apply gentle pressure on your abdomen, mostly on the site where you have pain. When he/she releases the pressure, the pain in the abdomen gets worse. This can happen due to an inflammation in the abdomen. Your doctor may also check the stiffness of your belly, and whether you can flex/move your abdomen muscles.

Blood Test: A blood test is done to check if you have a high WBC count. When there is an infection in the body, in order to fight against that infection, the body’s immune system over-activates and produces a large number of WBCs.

Urine Test: To confirm that there are no other problems that are causing the pain and discomfort in the abdomen such as kidney stones, or urinary tract infection, the urinalysis is necessary.

Imaging Tests: When all the above tests indicate the signs of Appendicitis, your doctor may run an imaging test to confirm the condition. The tests include an X-ray of the abdomen, Ultrasound of the abdomen, MRI, or CT scan.

Cost of Appendix Surgery in India

The total cost of appendix treatment depends on the City and hospital where you are taking your treatment, the severity of your condition, and the charges of your surgeon along with the medications and stay. However, the average cost of an Open Appendectomy and the average cost of a Laparoscopic Appendectomy in India ranges between USD 1,500 to USD 2,000. This cost is much less than its cost in any other country. Contact CureIndia to know the full details on operation procedures, cost, and stay duration.

Treatment Name Cost in USA Cost in Thailand Cost in India
Appendix Surgery $5,000-$7,000 $3,000 - $4,000 $1,500 - $2,000

Recommended General Surgeons for Appendix Surgery in India

1. Dr. Vicky Kuldeep

Dr. Vicky Kuldeep is the top General and Laparoscopic Surgeon in Delhi NCR. He has expertise in hemorrhoids surgery, appendix surgery, fistula surgery, etc.

dr-vicky-kuldeep-surgeons-for-hernia-surgery-in-india

2. Dr. Sumeet Shah

Dr. Sumeet Shah is a general surgeon who has expertise in laparoscopic, bariatric and robotic surgeries.

dr-sumeet-shah-hernia-surgery-doctor

3. Dr. Vinay Kumar Shaw

Dr. Vinay Kumar Shaw is a specialist for fistula, gallstone surgery, hernia, bariatric, laser piles, laparoscopic and GI surgery. He has treated more than 5000 cases successfully.

dr-vinay-kumar-shaw-hernia-surgery-doctor

4. Dr. Arvind Kumar

Dr. Arvind Kumar is a laparoscopic and general surgeon in India. He is a specialist in procedures such as colectomy, cystectomy, gastrectomy, and splenectomy.

dr-arvind-kumar-hernia-surgery-doctor

5. Dr. Nikhil Narain

Dr. Nikhil Narain is an expert general Surgeon, proctologist, and laparoscopic surgeon. He is a specialist in the fissure, fistula, appendix, and hemorrhoid treatment.

dr-nikhil-narain-hernia-surgery-doctor

Treatments for Appendicitis

If you are diagnosed with appendicitis, then it is important to receive the treatment as soon as possible. The removal of the appendix which is known as appendectomy or appendicectomy is the preferred treatment. These are the surgeries to remove the appendix from the body. If the treatment is not done on time, it can cause the appendix to rupture. The ruptured appendix spreads the infection through the abdomen and causes infection in the lining of the abdominal cavity, a condition known as Peritonitis. So, it is important to start the treatment as soon as possible. Following are the treatments for the damaged appendix.

1. Medication

Your doctor may prescribe you medications if your condition is mild and to check if your condition improves with medications alone. These medications are antibiotics. Your doctor may recommend this approach if you have any other medical conditions or risk factors. However, the appendicitis often reoccurs if the appendix is not removed. So it is a better option to remove the appendix. The medicines are also prescribed as preventative measures to provide treatment before your surgery.

2. Appendix Surgery

Once your doctor has diagnosed you with appendicitis, it is important to remove the appendix within 24 hours. If not done so, your appendix can explode within 36 hours. The exploded appendix spreads the infection in the abdomen and causes other life-threatening conditions. So, it is important to prevent that and perform the surgery right away. There are two types of surgery available for appendix removal. They are mentioned below:

i. Laparoscopic Appendectomy

It is a minimally invasive procedure which means it is performed with minimal incision. Before starting the procedure, you will be given general anesthesia. During this procedure, a few small incisions are made in the abdomen. Then a laparoscope is inserted through that cut. A laparoscope is an instrument that is a small tube and has a camera and light on the tip so that the doctor can visualize and perform the procedure. With the small surgical equipment, the doctor removes the appendix and closes the incisions with stitches.

ii. Open Appendectomy

Under certain circumstances when the appendix has already busted, laparoscopic surgery is not recommended and requires open appendectomy. In this procedure, you will be unconscious under anesthesia. During this procedure, your surgeon makes one large incision on the lower right abdomen. Your surgeon then removes the appendix and cleans the abdominal cavity as the ruptured appendix might have spread the infection. Then the surgeon closes the incision with stitches.

Recovery after Appendectomy

The recovery after appendectomy depends on the types of surgery done and the overall health of the patient. If the laparoscopic surgery is done, then the recovery time is short as compared to the open surgery. If everything seems fine, then you will be discharged from the hospital within 24 hours. However, if the surgery is complicated, you may need to stay in the hospital for a week before going home. For a few days after the surgery, you might feel little pain and discomfort. Doctors will prescribe you painkillers for that. Your doctor will give you instructions about how to take care of the wound, what you should avoid, and what activities you can do. Follow your doctor’s advice and you will be completely recovered within 4 to 6 weeks.

Conclusion

The function of the appendix is not known. It is better to get rid of it if you have an infection whether it is mild or severe because a mild infection of the appendix can be treated with medicines but there are more chances of it reoccurring. So, it is better to remove the appendix to avoid any future complications. You can get the best treatment for appendectomy in India at a much lower cost than the rest of the world. If you are thinking about visiting any country for your treatment, do consider India.

Appendix Treatment FAQs

Is there any herbal treatment for appendicitis?

Although an herbal treatment cannot help you recover from appendicitis, it can ease the symptoms of the condition. Appendicitis is a type of inflammation that can be relieved with the help of anti-inflammatory herbs like ginseng, cardamom, green tea, etc. Mint can also be a great option to ease the pain caused by appendicitis.

How long does it take for an appendicitis surgery to heal?

The recovery period depends on a person’s lifestyle, healthy eating, and physical capability. It is normal for a person to resume their day-to-day activity a couple of weeks after the surgery. However, if you have undergone an open surgery, you are advised to start any strenuous activity only after four to six weeks after the surgery.

Can you treat appendicitis without surgery?

Although in most cases a surgery is a must to treat appendicitis, some mild cases of appendicitis can be treated with antibiotics only. So, surgery is not a necessary measure to take if you are diagnosed with appendicitis.

Do children get appendicitis?

It is very common for children to get appendicitis. Appendicitis can happen to anyone between the age of 10-30 where the age group of 10 to 19 is most prone to getting the inflammation. It is more common in school-goers than in children below one year.

What is the nature of appendicitis pain?

An appendicitis pain comes and goes starting in the middle of your abdomen and then traveling to the lower right side. Initially the pain appears and disappears in intervals but later on it becomes more severe and constant. Any movement or pressure can make the pain worse.

Is diarrhea after appendicitis surgery normal?

It is very common to find a sensitive digestive system and diarrhea after an appendectomy. Your stomach may be irritated, you can have constipation, loose motions, gas, and headache. However, these aftereffects go away in a few days.

What are the appendix symptoms in females?

Generally, the symptoms of a diseased appendix are the same for every gender. The symptoms include abdominal pain, fever, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, diarrhea or constipation, bloating in the belly, unable to pass gas, etc.

Will I have any side effects of removing the appendix?

No. The function of the appendix in the body is unknown. Most of the patients who have undergone this procedure have not suffered from any mishaps in the body. It is completely safe to live without an appendix.

Is it painful to have an appendectomy?

You can feel a little pain after the surgery because you have undergone an incision on the abdomen. However, with painkillers, you can relieve the pain for a few days. Once you start to heal the pain will slowly fade away and then completely go away.

Will I be able to do exercise after the surgery?

You should avoid exercise for at least until the recovery period. Once you have recovered, you can start little exercises and then gradually increase the amount of exercise you do.

What are the ruptured appendix symptoms?

The symptoms of a ruptured appendix are Intense pain in the abdomen, high fever, chills in the body, fatigue, dizziness, vomiting, nausea, etc.