Appendicitis in Adolescents
Appendicitis is described as the inflammation of the appendix. An Appendix is the finger shaped pouch that projects from the colon on the lower side of the abdomen. It does not essentially have any function in the human body. On the other hand, adolescent is the transitional period where an individual experiences robust psychological and physical development. The growth and development is characterised with the occurrence of the secondary sexual characteristics and often happens from period of puberty to legal adulthood.
Appendicitis in adolescents is often suspected when an individual complains of pain at the lower right abdomen. The pain often originates from the navel and radiates to the other abdominal region. It is imperative to point out that the pain in early stages can be managed using the common analgesic but once the action of the analgesic is over in the body, the pain will recur. As the inflammatory process worsens in the body, appendicitis pain generally increases and eventually becomes severe. The pain can dramatically reduce if no surgical interventions are undertaken and hence the appendicitis ruptures. When the appendix ruptures, the contents present in the intestines often leaks into the peritoneum and hence leading to the super infection that causes peritonitis (Terasawa, Blackmore, Bent & Kohlwes, 2004). The condition is often life threatening and can lead to death.
The common symptoms of appendicitis in adolescents are complains of abdominal pains that originate from the navel and radiates to other region, fever and vomiting. As the pains begin, the adolescent may develop fever, feel nauseous, lose appetite and may vomit (Thompson, 2012). Other notable symptoms of appendicitis in adolescents are complains of diarrhoea, increase in the urge to urinate, onset of respiratory symptoms and constipation, When the pain threshold or tolerance is poor, the adolescent may experience pain shock. Additionally teenagers may also complain of swollen and bloated abdomen.
Essentially, the diagnosis of appendicitis is often confused with that of the acute abdomen or intestinal obstruction. There is the need to have adequate laboratory and other diagnostic testing so as to ascertain the diagnosis. An ultrasound is one of the most effective diagnostic interventions that can be used to diagnose appendicitis in adolescents (Harrison & Benziger, 2012). Comprehensive physical examination and history taking is also required to make the necessary diagnosis.
The treatment of the appendicitis in adolescents is a medical emergency; there is the need to ensure that proper care is quickly provided so as to avoid the complications. The best universally used treatment for appendicitis is often surgical intervention. Most often, when the surgical interventions are provided before the appendicitis ruptures; the chances of getting the complications are low. The adolescent may often be admitted in the hospital for two days for monitoring post operatively. However, there is the development of the laparoscopic surgeries which have eliminated the need for the massive abdominal incisions (Gandy & Wang, 2016). Currently, there are some hospitals that have advocated for the management of the appendicitis in adolescents using the antibiotics or drainage that is often done through the skin. However, the safest and the most preferred way of managing appendicitis in adolescents are through the surgical interventions. When the adolescent appears to have complains that are similar as those of appendicitis, it is critical to ensure that one calls the health care provider, the child should not be provided with pain medications or anything to eat in preparation of surgery.
References
Gandy, R. C., & Wang, F. (2016). Should the non-operative management of appendicitis be the new standard of care? ANZ Journal of Surgery, 86(4), 228-231.
Harrison, S., & Benziger, H. (2012). Diagnostic Challenges in Acute Appendicitis. Appendicitis – A Collection of Essays from Around the World.
Terasawa, T., Blackmore, C. C., Bent, S., & Kohlwes, R. J. (2004). Systematic review: computed tomography and ultrasonography to detect acute appendicitis in adults and adolescents. Annals of internal medicine, 141(7), 537-546.
Thompson, G. (2012). Clinical Scoring Systems in the Management of Suspected Appendicitis in Children. Appendicitis – A Collection of Essays from Around the World.
