Appendicitis

Written by: Muhammad Nasir Sirat

 Appendicitis is a painful swelling of the appendix. The appendix is a small, thin pouch about 2 to 4 inches long. It's connected to the large intestine. Nobody knows exactly what the appendix does, but removing it is not harmful.

AEPO’s writer/producer has talked to some patients and a physician about the signs, symptoms, and risks of appendicitis.

Rabani, a resident of Kabul city says, “I Have appendicitis and I suffer from bad body pain, fever, and vomiting.”

Roya, a resident of Logar province says, “In the beginning, I had a pain in my abdomen and it increased after a few hours and I was not able to fold my right leg and I have lost my appetite.”

Doctor Masoom Saborzai, a surgeon at Jamhoriat Hospital in Kabul city says, “The appendix is located on the right side of the large intestine. The signs and symptoms of this disease are fever, severe pain, vomiting, anorexia, and heartburn. If it infects and not taken out in time, causes serious risks and even death of the patient.”

What do some people think about the causes of appendicitis?

Rafiullah, a resident of Parwan province says, “I do not know exactly about the cause of this disease but I had eaten more food and meat in a festive and it caused me appendicitis.”

Nazanin a resident of Kabul city says, “I have eaten Bolani on the roadside and as the weather is hot and I did not care about the hygiene and it caused me appendicitis.”

Doctor Saborzai says, “The main causes of this disease are fiber-rich foods such as vegetables; infestations and germs, stale foods, some nuts and seeds of some fruits and improper hygiene; eating and drinking and contaminated food and contaminated water.”

How do some patients take care of appendicitis?

Ghulam Farouq says, “When I feel pain in my abdomen, I went to the hospital and they diagnosed my disease appendicitis and they treated it on time.”

Parween, a resident of Kabul province says, “I take my medicines according to the direction of the doctor and I eat soft foods and I regularly go to the doctor for dressing my wound.”

Doctor Saborzai says, “If the appendicitis patient refers to the hospital before 6 hours of his/her sickness, he/she might not need the surgical operation and will be treated by medication otherwise he/she will need a surgical operation. They should take the medicines according to the prescription of the doctor and take care of food and hygiene.”