Dr. Bharat Pothuri is a board-certified gastroenterologist and the founder of GastroDoxs. With extensive experience in digestive health, he specializes in advanced endoscopic procedures, chronic GI disorder management, and preventive care. Dr. Pothuri is dedicated to providing expert, patient-focused insights to help improve gut health and overall well-being.
Appendicitis refers to inflammation and infection of the appendix which is the little pouch that is affixed to the large intestine. In case the appendix is blocked, the bacteria multiply quickly causing swelling, pain and-having been untreated-the possible rupture.
He questions on when and how your abdominal pain began-in the epigastric area, working to the lower right quadrant, with relationship to changes in appetite, nausea, vomiting and fever. He also examines your past history of medical history and risk factors.
We are referring to full blood count (CBC) to assess the increased white blood cell count and the measurement of C-reactive protein (CRP) as an inflammatory marker.
In case of noninvasive testing, and clear diagnosis is not obtained, then diagnostic laparoscopy is performed and it gives direct visualization of the appendix and surgery can be performed immediately.
Dr. Pothuri has treated more than 3K patients, helping individuals improve their digestive health and overall well-being through expert, personalized care.
With over 20 years of experience, GastroDoxs has been a trusted provider of gastroenterology care, focusing on delivering the best outcomes for patients
Dr. Bharat Pothuri is a Board-Certified Gastroenterologist and Hepatologist. With extensive experience in digestive health, he specializes in advanced endoscopic procedures, chronic GI disorder management, and preventive care. Dr. Pothuri is dedicated to providing expert, patient-focused insights to help improve gut health and overall well-being.
Appendicitis typically happens in the case of an obstruction of the appendix by faeces, edema, infection, or foreign bodies resulting in the inflammation.
The initial symptoms are acute pain along the belly button which moves to the lower right abdomen, loss of appetite, nausea and low grade fever.
Diagnosis will be a combination of physical examination, blood tests to determine whether it is infected and takes an imaging (ultrasound or CT scan) to view the inflamed appendix.
Yes. Prevention of rupture and severe complications is achieved by the usual treatment of appendectomy (surgical removal of the appendix).
Mild appendicitis can be treated with antibiotics with close medical supervision in some few cases though, the ultimate treatment is surgery.
The majority of patients are able to resume normal functioning after 1-3 weeks following a laparoscopic appendectomy with the scar being very minor and the recovery process being fast.
