About this topic
The appendix is a small, finger-like pouch. It is attached to the large bowel in the lower right side of your belly. Appendicitis is the swelling of the appendix. Infection or stool in the appendix may cause this. Both of these may lead to swelling and a collection of pus. If left untreated, the appendix may burst. Then, the pus may infect the nearby organs. ‚
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What care is needed at home?
- Ask your doctor what you need to do when you go home. Make sure you ask questions if you do not understand what the doctor says. This way you will know what you need to do.
- Get lots of rest. Sleep when you are feeling tired.
- You may need help with stairs, bending, or moving around in the home.
- Your doctor may have you wear special stockings to prevent blood clots. You will be given these stockings in the hospital.
- Use a small pillow to put pressure on your belly. This can make you more comfortable when you cough, laugh, or do other actions.
- Talk to your doctor about how to care for your cut site. Ask your doctor about:
- When you should change your bandages
- When you may take a bath or shower
- If you need to be careful with lifting things over 10 pounds
- When you may go back to your normal activities like work or driving
What follow-up care is needed?
- Your doctor may ask you to make visits to the office to check on your progress. Be sure to keep these visits.
- If you have stitches or staples, you will need to have them taken out. Your doctor will often want to do this in 1 to 2 weeks.
What drugs may be needed?
The doctor may order drugs to: ‚
- Help with pain
- Treat an infection
Will physical activity be limited?
You may have to limit your activities after surgery. Talk to your doctor about the right amount of activity for you. If you had surgery, you may need to stay at home for few weeks to heal. ‚
What problems could happen?
- Collection of pus
- Blocked bowel
- Spread of infection to the nearby organs
- Infection in the cut site
- Pain not managed
- No appetite
When do I need to call the doctor?
- Signs of infection. These include a fever of 100.4 ‚ °F (38 ‚ °C) or higher, chills, pain with passing urine.
- Signs of wound infection. These include swelling, redness, warmth around the wound; too much pain when touched; yellowish, greenish, or bloody discharge; foul smell coming from the cut site; cut site opens up.
- Blood in vomit or stool
- Pain in the belly and feeling bloated
- Yellowing of the skin and the eyes
- You are not feeling better in 2 to 3 days or you are feeling worse
Teach Back: Helping You Understand
The Teach Back Method helps you understand the information we are giving you. The idea is simple. After talking with the staff, tell them in your own words what you were just told. This helps to make sure the staff has covered each thing clearly. It also helps to explain things that may have been a bit confusing. Before going home, make sure you are able to do these: ‚
- I can tell you about my procedure.
- I can tell you how to care for my cut site.
- I can tell you what I will do if I have redness or warmth around my wound.
Where can I learn more?
National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse ‚
http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/appendicitis/ ‚
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
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Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚