Doctor explains APPENDICITIS | Causes, symptoms and treatment

In this video Doctor O'Donovan explains key things you need to know about appendicitis. Appendicitis is a painful swelling of the appendix. The appendix is a small, thin pouch about 5 to 10cm (2 to 4 inches) long. It's connected to the large intestine, where poo forms.

Key things to know according to the NHS:

Symptoms of Appendicitis:

"Symptoms of appendicitis can include starting with a pain in the middle of your tummy (abdomen) that may come and go. Within hours, the pain travels to the lower right-hand side, where the appendix usually lies, and becomes constant and severe. Pressing on this area, coughing or walking may make the pain worse. You may lose your appetite, feel sick and have constipation or diarrhoea."

When to get medical help:

"If you have abdominal pain that's gradually getting worse, contact a GP or your local out-of-hours service immediately. Call 999 to ask for an ambulance if you have pain that suddenly gets worse and spreads across your abdomen, or if your pain temporarily improves before getting worse again. If your pain eases for a while but then gets worse, your appendix may have burst, which can lead to life-threatening complications."

Symptoms of appendicitis
Appendicitis typically starts with a pain in the middle of your tummy (abdomen) that may come and go.

Within hours, the pain travels to the lower right-hand side, where the appendix usually lies, and becomes constant and severe.

Pressing on this area, coughing or walking may make the pain worse.

You may lose your appetite, feel sick and have constipation or diarrhoea.

How appendicitis is treated: If you have appendicitis, it's likely your appendix will need to be removed as soon as possible.
Removal of the appendix, known as an appendectomy is done by surgery.

Content and TIMESTAMPS:

00:00 - Introduction
00:15 - What is Appendicitis?
00:34 - How common is appendicitis?
01:03 - What causes Appendicitis?
01:54 - What are symptoms of appendicitis?
03:50 - How is appendicitis diagnosed?
05:35 - How is appendicitis treated?

Key things to get the most out of your doctors appointment:

- Write down your symptoms including when they started, when they happen and how often you have them.
- Write down anything that makes them worse or better.
- Take a friend or relative along for support - they could also ask questions and take notes to help you remember what the doctor says.
- Ask the doctor to explain anything you don't understand.
- Ask the doctor to write things down for you if you think it might help.

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Further information from trusted sources:

Information from NHS UK:

#doctor #appendix #appendicitis #abdomenpain #health #medical #surgery #emergency
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Disclaimer:

The video is intended as an educational resource only. The information within this video or on this channel isn't designed to replace professional input, so if you have any medical issues please consult a medical provider. No professional relationship is being created by watching this video. Dr. O'Donovan cannot give any individual medical advice. All information should be verified for accuracy by the individual user. Dr O'Donovan accepts no responsibility for individual interpretation of data, although it is always accurate to the best of his knowledge at the time of the video being published. This is an EDUCATIONAL video. Images are used in accordance with fair use guidelines.

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[angelabrown]

My brother, Dad and paternal grandfather all had appendicitis as children. Thankfully all survived. Interesting video. I’ve just discovered you!

[SyrinxofOz]

My appendix burst when I was 58. I had waited four days to get to see the Dr, because while I felt sick, and couldn't bear the idea of food, I had no actual pain in any of the expected area. My bowel perforated in another place as well, and I ended up losing half of it in a right sided hemicolectomy.

Life changing experience, and not in a good way!

[bodybasedmindfulnessand]

I wanted to say thank you for this video and the one showing the McBurney Point (I think that was the name). My son started having some abdominal pain and so I started looking up stuff and came upon your video. It was the most comprehensive video that I found. The other video showed where the pain would be and after checking him, I decided we need to take him in to be checked.

He did not have the classic symptoms of nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or fever. Just the pain when he moved around. On the way to the hospital he started to have a little nausea, which started within 2 hours of when the pain started. They did blood work and a CT scan. They said it had been caught so early, he could choose the treatment - antibiotics or surgery because he still did not even have an elevated white blood cell count. He chose the antibiotics and we were on our way home from the ER within 4 hours of when the pain started. Without your video, we would have probably waited longer and he would not have had such an easy recovery. Thank you so much!!!

[imlienlatzudir]

Thank u for the info. My son is having the same problem and in antibiotics befor the operation.

[MPMChitChat]

Thanks for the interesting information. Both my brothers had appendcitis in their early teens and a friend in his mid 30's.

[catyushca]

Hi! Very useful information! I just had my surgery 3 days ago. Still in some pain, I had 3 types of antibiotics before the surgery, no complications during the intervention, 24 hrs later I was out of the hospital, went home only with pct and codeine.

[janyd]

Mine started by heartburn. Didnt subside by Gaviscon or Pepto Bismal and i felt nauseous and it worsened. I went to emergency and they did labwork and I had a high white blood cell count. After this resukt the doctor sent me for a CT scan. My nausea and heartburn eventually moved to my lower right quadrant, which was painful for me to walk. Was admitted to the unit and had laparoscopic surgery. 3 incisions were made. After surgery it was PAINFUL going from supine to sitting. Recovery was slow and painful. The nurses want you to try and get up and moving as this will help to recover sooner.

[youthrevisitedagain]

I had my appendix removed when I was 59. My symptom was feeling like I needed to pass gas. Found out later it actually was perforated.

[AnasKhan-co]

Hellow Sir i hope you will be fine
i came here just for your reply as you are a great doctor Sir just tell me ..did every abdominal pain is apendix or not
I shall be really thankful if you give me reply
Thanks alot doctor ...❤🎉

[Davidchildress-somekoind]

I had my appendix removed and it grew back. The doctors were stunned. Little did they know that I come from the planet Xenor where our organs grow back.

[BruceDanton-xweg]

It is so terrible too i feel for all of you.

[jeangrisales]

Why no mention on how antibiotics only can be a first line treatment instead of surgery?

[Technological_ko]

Hi i have really bad pain atm, its a dull constant pain that's alot worse when sitting.
Does this sound like appendicitis ?

[daniloruiz]

what kind of food dont eat for having apendicsitis

[dylancarter]

I keep having these symptoms but my parents don’t believe me and I feel sick all the time 😢😢

[ntandosnothando]

I had mine removed when I was 7 yrs old

[ExecutiveGuardian]

What if it only hurts when I push on my lower right side like the 1 oclock?

[Letmebe_]

It hurts more when I cough.. I just took a motrin. 😭