Early Signs of Appendicitis

Abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, fever or chills, loss of appetite, constipation or diarrhea…these are all symptoms that may be suggestive of appendicitis. While these symptoms could also be indicative of other health problems such as IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome), Diverticulitis, or Pelvic Inflammatory Disease, they are not symptoms that should be ignored. In this article we’re going to take a closer look at appendicitis, why it occurs, and what can be done in terms of treatment.

Appendicitis occurs when the appendix, a narrow, tube-shaped organ that is attached to the large intestine on the right side of the lower abdomen, becomes inflamed and causes pain as a result. Appendicitis typically occurs in individuals who are between the ages of 10 and 40. 

As mentioned in the beginning of this article, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, fever, chills and loss of appetite are all symptoms that are indicative of appendicitis. However, the symptoms of appendicitis can differ in children than adults. While abdominal pain is the classic symptom that a child with appendicitis will complain of, it is not uncommon for that pain to also be associated with the flu, food poisoning, or constipation. Another telltale sign of appendicitis is sharp pain that occurs when pressure is placed onto the abdominal area and worsens when that pressure is released. An individual with appendicitis may also have an elevated white blood cell count. If white blood cells are elevated, this suggests that an infection is present. If abdominal pain persists for longer than a day or worsens in a short period of time, it is important that you do not ignore it and instead seek the opinion of a physician immediately. Walk-in clinics like Brentwood Medical Clinic in Burnaby, British Columbia, where Dr. Ali Ghahary practices, are well-equipped to deal with patients who may be experiencing these symptoms. In addition, emergency rooms in and around Vancouver also treat acute cases of appendicitis, and patients may be referred by their physician to an ER for further treatment if it is a suspected emergency. It is important to note that symptoms of appendicitis may not always present immediately or as they normally should, sometimes making it a difficult condition to diagnose.

Patients with appendicitis commonly experience LRQ (lower right quadrant) pain

If left untreated, appendicitis can become a life-threatening condition. When the appendix becomes infected or inflamed, bacteria begins to multiply rapidly until the muscular wall of your appendix becomes to thin that it eventually ruptures, resulting in bacteria-laden pus to ooze into your abdomen. If your appendix ruptures, doctors will try to treat it by draining pus from the abdomen as well as prescribing a course of antibiotics for 6 to 8 weeks. However, in most cases, the appendix will need to be surgically removed to avoid further complications – this is known as an appendectomy. An appendectomy can be performed two different ways – as an open surgery, which is done by cutting 2 to 4 inch incision into the abdomen, or via laparoscopic surgery, which is done through a few smaller incisions and guided via a video camera into the abdomen.

Cancer Statistics and Chemotherapy

On average, nearly 600 Canadians will be diagnosed with cancer each day, with an estimated 200,000 new cases diagnosed in 2016 alone. Cancer is the leading cause of death in Canada and accounts for over 30% of all deaths in the country. The most common forms of cancer in Canada are lung, breast, prostate and colorectal. While cancer typically affects individuals over the age of 50, it can occur at any age. It is important to keep in mind that having regular checkups with your physician is vital for your health and can help in early detection of cancer.

Chemotherapy, commonly referred to as "chemo", is the use of cytotoxic drugs. These drugs work to kill cancer cells in the body and stops them from growing or reproducing. There are various types of chemotherapy drugs available and they will oftentimes be used in combination with one another in effort to lead to a better outcome for the patient. Chemotherapy treatment also reduces the chances of cancer cells mutating and becoming resistant to certain drugs.

The dose, schedule and length of chemotherapy treatment is decided by an oncologist, a doctor that specializes in the prevention, detection and treatment of cancer, and is dependent on the type of cancer the patient is diagnosed with, its stage, the patient’s age, as well as the patient’s overall health. Chemotherapy is usually given in cycles – lasting one or two days and one to four weeks long. The cycle will then be followed by a rest period to allow the body’s normal cells to recover before chemotherapy treatment is once again resumed.

Side effects can occur with every type of chemotherapy treatment. However, not every patient will experience side effects in the same way. The side effects a patient will experience depend on the type of chemotherapy drug administered, how it is administered, the dose, and the patient’s general health. The most common side effects that patients undergoing chemotherapy treatment will develop is fatigue, nausea and vomiting. Fatigue occurs as the result of healthy cells being destroyed and can last throughout the treatment process. Nausea and vomiting can occur within the first several hours of chemotherapy and can last up to 24 hours after, and in some cases even longer. Nausea and vomiting is managed by anti-emetic drugs such as Zofran (Ondansetron) and Aloxi (Palonosetron).

Loss of appetite can also occur in patients undergoing chemotherapy. This is due to the chemotherapy causing temporary changes in smell and taste, making food seem less appealing. Still, it is important to maintain good nutrition throughout your treatment to avoid malnutrition and weight loss. Several patients find that speaking to a nutritionist is beneficial.

Chemotherapy can also affect the cells in the GI tract. This can result in diarrhea that may last as long as 2 weeks. Alternatively, constipation may also occur and can start 3 days after treatment.

Hair loss is also another common side effect of chemotherapy treatment, but does not occur with all chemotherapy drugs.

For a complete list of side effects related to chemotherapy and other information on cancer, visit Cancer.ca. Also be sure to follow Dr. Ali Ghahary on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook for continued updates on the latest health news in Canada.

The Importance of Medical Imaging

For general practitioners in Vancouver, British Columbia like Dr. Ali Ghahary, medical imaging plays an important role in helping to determine certain diseases, cancers, and other health problems that cannot be immediately detected, and has immense benefits for both physicians and patients. Medical imaging has been a revolutionary part of health care for many decades and can detect certain health conditions at an early stage, thus providing patients and their families with the most appropriate and effective treatment, and the best outcomes possible.

Below is a look at some of the different types of medical imaging procedures.

X-Rays

The most common form of medical imaging, an X-Ray produces a detailed 2D image of internal body structures such as bones. Depending on which part of the body is being scanned, you may be asked to stand up or lie down for an X-Ray. You will also be asked to remove any jewellery or other items containing metal prior to the scan, as these can cause inaccurate scans or “ghost images.” In certain cases, a contrast agent may be administered to the patient via IV. Contrast helps to enhance the visibility of the structures being scanned. When contrast is being given, patients may notice a sensation of warmth or the feeling of having to urinate – this is not uncommon. There may be delayed side effects to IV contrast such as skin rash, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and headaches, but these are rare. X-Rays are fast, taking no longer than 15 minutes in most cases, and they are also non-invasive. While X-Rays are generally safe during pregnancy, they are not recommended for women who are or may be pregnant due to the high exposure to radiation, the possibility of cell damage, and the risk of developing cancer, therefore in cases of pregnancy it is only recommended that X-Rays are done if it is an emergency. 

X-Ray

CT Scan (Computed Tomography)

CT scans, also referred to as a CAT Scan, are another common form of medical imaging, and are used to produce 3D images of your body’s structures. This includes bones, organs and blood vessels. Soft tissue, however, is less visible on CT scans, and may require an MRI to be seen properly.

CT Scan

MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging)

MRI’s are often the preferred choice of medical imaging in comparison to X-Rays and CT Scans, as they do not use ionizing radiation. Instead, your body is exposed to a magnetic field and radio waves, which then produce 3D images. MRI’s are used to diagnose various health conditions and can produce photographs of internal body structures such as bones, joints, the brain, spinal cord, heart, blood vessels and other organs. On average, an MRI can vary from 30 to 60 minutes dependent on the part of the body that is being scanned. Similar in look to a CT scan, an MRI is a circular, tunnel-like machine, about 1.5 metres in length. Some patients may find an MRI to be claustrophobic, resulting in panic attacks, and may need to take anti-anxiety medication approximately half an hour before the procedure. This medication can be prescribed by your family physician. In rare cases, especially in children who tend to move around more, general anesthetic may also be administered.

MRI

Ultrasound / Sonogram

An ultrasound is a safe test that uses high-frequency sound waves, rather than radiation. Ultrasounds can capture images of your body’s soft-tissue structures such as the gallbladder, kidneys, liver, pancreas and bladder, and can also determine blood flow and detect blockages in arteries. For women who are pregnant, an ultrasound is commonly referred to as a sonogram. A sonogram is typically administered anywhere from 18 to 20 weeks, but can also be done earlier to determine a baby’s due date. They are a great test to ensure that you are having a healthy pregnancy. In the first trimester, a sonogram can let you know how many babies you are carrying, as well as the baby’s heart rate, and show the umbilical cord and placenta. Sonograms are more detailed in the second trimester of pregnancy, showing images of the head/face, heart, limbs, spine and abdomen.

Ultrasound