Appendicitis is an infection and swelling of the appendix that is often painful to the sufferer. Failure to immediately treat the condition can lead to an eruption that releases toxin into the body that may eventually lead to death. If a doctor fails to diagnose or treat appendicitis, he or she is liable for medical malpractice.
What is an Appendix
An appendix is a small pouch that is attached to the large intestine and can be found in the lower right of the abdomen. The organ generates mucus which moves through the appendiceal lumen into the large intestine.
Causes of Appendicitis
When the appendiceal lumen becomes obstructed, appendicitis occurs. The mucus formed in the appendix backs up into the appendiceal lumen which allows bacteria inside the appendix to grow. The appendix subsequently swells and becomes infected. Types of obstruction include:
- parasites or fecal matter that back up the appendiceal lumen
- swollen lymph tissue in the appendix wall
- inflammatory bowel disease
- abdominal trauma
If not treated immediately, an inflamed appendix can burst. The contained infection then spreads throughout the abdomen resulting in peritonitis.
Symptoms
Symptoms of appendicitis include:
- abdominal pain and swelling
- appetite loss
- nausea and/or vomiting
- constipation or diarrhea
- a low-grade fever
The abdominal pain is usually sudden and precedes the other symptoms. The pain worsens with time and movement. These symptoms are common with appendicitis and should alert an experienced physician to the possibility of appendicitis. Sometimes doctors mistake appendicitis for the following conditions:
- inflammatory bowel disease
- intestinal obstruction
- constipation
- gynecological problems
Diagnosis/Treatment
Physicians diagnose appendicitis by taking medical histories and conducting thorough examinations. If the doctor suspects a patient has appendicitis, the doctor can request immediate surgery to prevent an eruption. If a patient does not have the common symptoms of appendicitis or if the patient cannot adequately describe the symptoms, a doctor who suspects appendicitis may order tests to verify if the condition is appendicitis.
If a diagnosis is uncertain or if for some reason the patient is too weak or vulnerable to undergo surgery, the doctor may alternatively prescribe aggressive antibiotics to treat the infection. The doctor might also suggest a soft or liquid diet until the infection goes .
Failure to Diagnose - Liability
A patient harmed because of a doctor's failure to diagnose or treat a case of appendicitis may sue for medical malpractice. Doctors are held to a medical standard of due care and this include diagnosing a condition commonly known in the medical community. A patient who proves medical malpractice can receive economic compensation to cover losses arising from the malpractice. He or she may also receive non-economic compensation for accompanying pain and suffering.
Find an Attorney
If you recently suffered harm from appendicitis that was not diagnosed or misdiagnosed, you have a claim against the doctor for a failure to treat the appendicitis. Discuss your case with an attorney experienced with medical malpractice to determine your rights and due compensation.
