Could your child's stomach ache be appendicitis?

It's normal to feel a little scared when your child says, "Mommy, my stomach hurts." Most of the time, we think it's a bad meal or a minor stomach upset. But sometimes, this normal stomach ache can be a sign of something we need to be very concerned about. Appendicitis is one such condition that requires urgent attention. Many parents are scared because they have heard about it, but they don't know exactly what it is. So today, let's talk about it simply, in a way that you can understand.

What exactly is appendicitis?

Simply put, appendicitis is an infection or swelling of a small organ called the appendix. Think of it like a little tube, like a finger, that's attached to your large intestine. It's located on the right side of your abdomen, just below the navel.

If this little part gets stuck for some reason, germs can grow inside it and cause an infection. That's what we call appendicitis. This is a medical emergency that needs to be treated immediately . Because if left untreated, this infected appendix can burst.

This condition most commonly occurs in children between the ages of 10 and 18. Appendicitis is also the leading cause of emergency surgery in children.

How do you know if a child has appendicitis?

There are several key signs that can help you determine whether a child's stomachache is normal or appendicitis. It's important to be aware of these.

This is the main thing we need to be concerned about. The pain is so severe that it makes it difficult for the child to walk or move. The pain increases when jumping or coughing.

Let's look at other symptoms in the table below.

If your child has these symptoms, don't just sit at home and wait, thinking, "Maybe it'll get better." See a doctor immediately.

Why do children get appendicitis?

The most common cause of appendicitis is a blockage of the appendix, where it connects to the large intestine. There are several things that can cause this blockage.

• Stuck piece of stool: Sometimes a dry, stone-like piece of stool can get stuck in this small tube.
• Infection: Another infection in the stomach can cause the appendix to swell and become blocked.
• Parasites: Rarely, this can also be caused by conditions like worm infestations.
• Other growths: This blockage can also be caused by things like tumors.

But sometimes appendicitis can occur without any obvious cause. So, rather than trying to figure out what the cause is, it's more important to recognize the symptoms and seek treatment quickly.

What happens if this gets serious? (Complications)

Appendicitis is not an illness to take lightly. If not treated promptly, it can lead to serious complications.

The main risk is the rupture of the infected appendix. If this happens, all the germs and feces inside it will spread throughout the abdominal cavity.

• Peritonitis: When this bacteria spreads, it infects the lining of the abdominal cavity. This is a very serious, even life-threatening condition.
• Sepsis: The infection can enter the bloodstream and spread throughout the body. This is also a very serious, life-threatening condition.
• Abscess: Sometimes a pus-filled lump (abscess) can form around the inflamed appendix.

This is why we say that if you have symptoms of appendicitis, you should go to a hospital's Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) without delay .

How can you confirm this, doctor?

When you take your child to a doctor, the first thing he or she will do is ask you about your child's symptoms. How did the pain start and where does it hurt now? Then they will examine the child's abdomen. They will check to see if the child feels any pain when they press on the lower right side of the abdomen.

In addition, several tests can be performed to confirm the diagnosis.

• Blood tests: Check for infection in the body.
• Urine tests: Make sure there are no other causes, such as a urinary tract infection.
• Ultrasound scan: This can look at the organs in the abdomen and determine if the appendix is ​​swollen.
• CT scan: Sometimes a CT scan may be necessary to confirm the diagnosis.

After these tests, the doctor decides whether or not this is appendicitis and how to treat it.

What are the treatments?

If appendicitis is confirmed, two treatment options can be considered.

Very rarely, if the infection is very mild, antibiotics alone may be enough to treat the infection. But in most cases, the best and safest treatment is to remove the infected appendix through surgery. This surgery is called an appendectomy .

This surgery is performed in two main ways.

Before the surgery, the child will be given antibiotics through a vein. The surgery is performed under general anesthesia (put to sleep), so the child will not feel any pain. The surgery usually takes about an hour.

Will I recover quickly after the surgery?

Most children recover quickly after surgery.

• Hospital stay: If the condition is not severe, you may be able to go home in a day or two. If the abscess has ruptured, you may need to stay in the hospital for a few more days to receive antibiotics.
• Recovery: If the surgery was laparoscopic, the child can return to normal activities within 3-5 days. If the surgery was open, the child will need to rest for about 1-2 weeks.
• Going to school: The child will be able to return to school in about a week after laparoscopic surgery, and in about two weeks after open surgery.

During this time, you should keep your child away from activities like running, jumping, and lifting weights. Your doctor will advise you on this.

Watch out for these symptoms after surgery!

If your child develops any of these symptoms after returning home, call your doctor immediately.

• Fever again
• If the pain is getting worse
• If vomiting continues
• If the surgical wound is swollen, red, or pus is coming out

These could be signs of an infection, so be aware of this.