Appendicitis generally has to be treated with surgery. However, if the condition is still mild and has not caused complications, appendicitis can sometimes be treated without surgery. Find out how and the effectiveness of appendicitis treatment without surgery.
The appendix is a part of the large intestine that resembles a small and thin sac with a size of about 5–10 cm. When the appendix is blocked, bacteria can quickly multiply in it and this can make the appendix inflamed. This is what causes appendicitis or appendicitis.
The following are some of the symptoms that can cause appendicitis:
- Severe pain in the lower right abdomen and around the navel
- Pain that gets worse when coughing or walking
- Constipation or diarrhea
- Loss of appetite
- Nausea and vomiting
- Swollen belly
- Fever
- Difficult to pass gas
Appendicitis can be a serious, potentially life-threatening condition. If not treated promptly, the inflamed appendix can rupture and cause sepsis or spread of infection to the lining of the abdominal wall (peritonitis).
Untreated appendicitis can cause these complications in about 48–72 hours. This disease generally needs to be treated with appendectomy. However, there are some cases of appendicitis that can be treated without surgery.
How to treat appendicitis without surgery
In some cases, appendicitis can be treated without surgery, namely by giving antibiotics. However, treatment of appendicitis without surgery can only be done in conditions of appendicitis that are still mild and have not been accompanied by complications or rupture of the appendix.
The type of antibiotic given by the doctor will be adjusted to the type of germ that causes the infection in the appendix. Antibiotic drugs can also be given by injection or by taking antibiotics that are taken by mouth. During treatment, the patient's condition still needs to be monitored by a doctor.
If the patient's condition does not improve or even gets worse despite receiving medication, surgery still needs to be done to treat appendicitis.
Meanwhile, for patients with appendicitis who are successfully treated with drugs without surgery, the doctor will advise the patient to have a re-examination within 6 months.
In order to monitor the condition of the patient's appendix, the doctor can perform a physical examination and supporting examinations, such as colonoscopy, blood tests, and radiological examinations, such as X-rays, ultrasound, or abdominal CT scans.
It is important to remember that appendicitis is not proven to be treatable with herbal remedies, such as turmeric. Therefore, you are not recommended to take herbal medicines to treat this disease.
Effectiveness of Appendicitis Treatment Without Surgery
Various studies say that giving antibiotics without surgery is quite effective for treating mild appendicitis. Approximately 60% of patients with appendicitis who are treated only with antibiotics, do not need to undergo surgical removal of the appendix within 5 years after treatment.
However, some patients still need to undergo appendectomy despite receiving antibiotics. It is estimated that around 25% of patients with appendicitis undergo surgery, even though they have previously received antibiotics.
Treatment of appendicitis without surgery also has another drawback, namely the risk of appendicitis reoccurring. Research shows that some patients with appendicitis who have received antibiotics without surgery may experience a recurrence of appendicitis within 5 years.
Treatment of appendicitis without surgery is also not always effective and successful. In certain cases, sufferers can still experience complications, even though they have received antibiotics.
The success of appendicitis treatment with antibiotics is influenced by several things, such as appendicolites in the body. Appendicolith or fekalit is hard feces found in the appendix.
Although it can be treated without surgery, you are not recommended to treat appendicitis on your own without medical help from a doctor.
Given that this condition can get worse quickly and can't always be treated with antibiotics without surgery, you still need to see a doctor if you experience symptoms of appendicitis.
After conducting an examination to evaluate your condition and the severity of your appendicitis, your doctor will determine the appropriate treatment for appendicitis, either with medication or surgery.