Appendicitis: causes, prevention, and natural remedies

Appendicitis is inflammation of the appendix, a small segment in the shape of a finger that stands out in the large intestine, very close to the point where the large intestine joins the small intestine.  The appendix has immunological functions, but is not considered an essential organ, although it is an important part of the body’s harmony and good functioning.  This is why you shouldn’t overlook it.

Why does the appendix become inflamed?

Appendicitis’ causes are unknown, but it is very likely that it is related to bad diet combined with strong and constant tension.

Why is appendicitis dangerous?

Because when the appendix becomes inflamed and is not taken care of, it could rupture and leak intestinal contents that are loaded with toxic and harmful substances, as well as harmful bacteria.  The interior of the abdomen area is what causes what we know as peritonitis.  This could cause a strong infection, evening risking death.  This rupture could also cause an abscess or infection to form in the blood stream, which is a fatal state known as septicemia.  If it is a woman that suffers from the peritonitis, it could cause an infection in the ovaries and/or the Fallopian tubes, which could cause infertility.

How do I detect if my appendix is inflamed?

There are characteristic symptoms, that not all patients present.  Here we will provide you will some of the more common symptoms:

• Nausea and vomiting
• Acute pain in the right lower quadrant.  This pain could be sudden and begin in the upper area of the abdomen, or around the bellybutton.  It is usually after the pain that the nausea and vomiting appears.
• After a while, the nausea could disappear and the pain could move to the right lower quadrant.  Once pressure appears in this area, so does the pain; when slowly removing the hand from the area, the pain increases.
• Generally, body temperature is between 37.5 – 38 degrees Celsius.
• In babies and children, the pain could be very general.
• If the appendix ruptures, the pain and fever could increase.  If the infection becomes worse, it could produce shock.

In spite of these symptoms, it is not always easy to determine is the pain is due to appendicitis or not.  The appendix is frequently removed without being inflamed.  There are lots of ways to care for your appendix and prevent all these complications.  If you frequently have stomachaches, food never sits well with you, you’re nauseous, etc., it would be best to follow the following advice:

Natural treatment to prevent and help reduce possible inflammation

This treatment can also be applied to people who have undergone surgery and are recovering.

• Emotional rest: giving yourself a rest, not only physically, but emotionally as well, is absolutely necessary.  One of the most common causes of this type of problem is anxiety or fear that a lot of times goes unnoticed because we have gotten used to living under pressure, rushed, dissatisfied, and with very little confidence in the future.  Uncertainty or closing yourself off to the flow of things you like and enjoy, powerfully influence this condition  A lot of times we give more time to work, paying our bill, and taking care of “everything else”, except for ourselves.  Little by little, we fall into a viscous circle that traps us in exhausting routines that provide us with little satisfaction.  You must keep in mind that life can always be more than what we believe it is.  You must give yourself time to reevaluate, read, and nourish yourself emotionally and spiritually, and learn to trust more in this grandeur alive in all of us.  If you just had surgery take advantage of these moments to nourish yourself emotionally, reading and reflecting on things that haven’t allowed our lives to flow; it might be out of fear, or because you don’t believe they will happen.
• Diet: fundamental for preventing and helping you recover.  You should eat more times per day, in smaller portions.  You should avoid animal fats, eliminate packaged foods, animal dairy and its byproducts (cheeses, processed yogurts, etc.  But you can allow homemade yogurt or kefir), as well as refined sugars and their derivatives (sodas, pastries, cakes, sweets, etc.) which are  the primary causes that toxins and harmful fats accumulate in the intestines, and that cause intestinal and stomach problems.  Also, these products in excess predispose the organs to inflammation, and all sorts of conditions and pains.  If you have already had surgery, it’s best to eat vegetable or white meat broths, like fish and chicken.  Avoid all red meats.  Avoid all legumes for the moment (if you have just had surgery).  You can make juices out of sprouts and carrots, alfalfa, potato, etc.  Opt for whole grains rather than refined, as these latter do not provide any nutritive value to your body.
• Physical exercise: exercise, as this helps alleviate tensions.  Take at least 15 minutes of the day to do an exercise that you like and enjoy, like walking, swimming, biking, dancing, etc.
• Include in your diet foods like aloe juice, prunes, vegetable milks, lemon and orange, and seeds.

In natural medicine, diseases do not exist.  What does exist is severe body intoxication due to dietary and lifestyle habits, to which doctors give different names.

References

1. MedlinePlus. United States National Library of Medicine. 2018. Appendicitis.
2. Nemours Foundation. Appendicitis for parents. 2018.
3. Nemours Foundation. Appendicitis for teens. 2018.

Revised by: Dra. Loredana Lunadei on 07/31/2021

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