Medical emergency is any medical problem that could cause death or permanent injury if not treated quickly. Severe pain in some instances can also be a medical emergency, such as the pain associated with kidney stones or appendicitis just like in the case of 13 years old Zainab.
Mumeenat was admitted to one of the public hospitals in Lagos on 3rd December, 2019 where she was diagnosed of busted appendicitis. This had caused excruciating pain for the young girl and had necessitated emergency surgery to be done on her twice. Since last year, her parents had spent a sum of N105, 000 in the battle to save her life and were in need of further financial assistance for her successful treatment.
As at the time HEI was contacted, they needed N45,000 more for the Mumeenat’s treatment and HEI intervened with the provision of funds needed that enabled the young girl to begin the final lap of her treatment. HEI is happy that Zainab has finally been discharged from the hospital and she is recuperating further.
Appendicitis is an inflammation of the appendix. It’s a medical emergency that almost always requires surgery as soon as possible to remove the appendix.
Cause of Appendicitis
Appendicitis happens when the appendix gets blocked, often by poop, a foreign body (something inside you that isn’t supposed to be there), or cancer. Blockage may also result from infection, since the appendix can swell in response to any infection in the body.
Symptoms of Appendicitis
The classic symptoms of appendicitis include:
- Usually, the first sign of appendicitis is pain in the lower right belly or pain near the navel that moves lower.
- Loss of appetite
- Nausea and vomitting soon after belly pain begins
- Swollen belly
- Fever of 99-102 degrees
- Can’t pass gas
Other less common symptoms of appendicitis include:
- Dull or sharp pain anywhere in the upper or lower belly, back, or rear end
- Painful or difficult peeing
- Vomitting before the belly pain starts
- Severe cramps
Constipation or diarrhoea with gas
Appendicitis is almost always treated as an emergency. Surgery to remove the appendix, which is called an appendectomy is the standard treatment for almost all cases of appendicitis.
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