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My daughter just had a bout of appendicitis. Does anyone know what causes this? Of course the doctor told us that disease just happens with no direct cause.

Don't believe it. All effects have a cause.

I have been trying to gather some info from natural health and healing books and sites on what the cause of this could be. The only info I have gotton was that it was caused by constipation. My daughter is definitly NOT constipated. I know that it is caused by bacterial infection of the appendix, but what causes this to occur? Anyone have any info on what nutritional factors may influence this condition. We want to avoid overlooking any underlying factors that may cause other health problems later in her life. THanks

-- Tiffani Cappello (cappello@alltel.net), October 26, 2001

Answers

The absolutely BEST book for natural medicine for children is "Smart Medicine for a Healthier Child". On the cover it says "A parents guide to safe and effective relief of common childhood disorders using nutritional supplements, herbs, homeopathy, acupressure, diet, and conventional medicine" and "A practical A-Z reference to natural and conventional treatments for infants and children". I consult this book first for everything! Unfortunately, all their recommendations are for supporting recovery after surgery. They state the appendix can become inflamed due to either an anatomical obstruction or constipation and that the inflammation can rapidly develop into an infection.

Has your daughter been under any stress? When I was 16 I had a bout of appendicitis that I was hospitalized for. Since the doctors were unable to find the "cause" surgery was not preformed and I was told to take a fiber supplement and that I'd probably have to deal with it for the rest of my life. At the time I was under extreme stress and I believe this was the cause since I've never had a problem since. The doctor did mention stress could play a role. Hope this helps!

-- Bren (wayoutfarm@skybest.com), October 26, 2001.


Thanks. I must admit, I wondered if all this talk of war and bioterrorism was stressing my daughter out a bit. We don't have a TV, but we do read internet news and talk about current events at the supper table. I wonder if this could have been causing alot of stress that may have contributed to her problem. She has not had surgery yet. She is scheduled to have it soon and is on antibiotics now. Since her appendix has already ruptured I am planning on having it removed ASAP.

-- Tiffani (Cappello@alltel.net), October 26, 2001.

Your doctor didn't recommend surgery immediately? From what I understand a ruptured appendix is life threatening.

-- Bren (wayoutfarm@skybest.com), October 26, 2001.

Tiffani, even though your daughter is not constipated doesn't mean she is getting enough FIBER in her diet, especially water soluble fiber. That is what prevents appendicitis, adequate water soluble fiber in the diet to keep the large intestine thoroughly cleansed every day. Then the harmful bacteria do not have a chance to proliferate.

My brother also had this problem and the young internist explained this to him in great detail so other members of his family would not suufer the same fate.

-- Annie Miller in SE OH (annie@1st.net), October 26, 2001.


I guess the new protocol for treating ruptured appendix is to clear the infection first with antibiotics (strong ones) and then operate. This prevents the spread of the infection into other areas of the body. This is a rather new way to treat this affliction but has a much lower complication rate and then the surgery can be performed laproscopically without a large incision.

Anne, I should know this, but what fibers are best? We eat only unrefined grains (whole wheat bread etc..). This is what so puzzles me about my daughter developing this condition. I am wondering if our family has some genetic need for larger quantities of fiber than normal as I find I do better when I take natural fiber supplements even though I avoid refined grains. Maybe I need to add more raw fruits and veggies? We grow our own veggies and do not eat salads and raw veggies in winter. WE live off mostly root veggies, squash, and some frozen chard and peas for the chilly months.

-- Tiffani (cappello@alltel.net), October 26, 2001.



What about alfalfa sprouts? I don't know about their fiber content but they are super easy, and would give you a supply of fresh greens for winter.

-- Bren (wayoutfarm@skybest.com), October 26, 2001.

Tiffani, my oldest daughter Stephy nearly died from a missed diagnosis of her appendix rupturing. She had it removed and was on antibiotics IV for a week in the hospital. I would get a second opinion on your daughter if her appendix has ruptured. This makes no sense, there is no antibiotic given by mouth (not strong enough) that could help in this matter. If this was ruptured, all the infection would be spreading throughout her body, Stephy was lucky in that hers encapsulated. Even though we are very healthy folks, 3 square meals a day, and none of my children (except born C section in the Hospital) have ever been in a hospital since birth, nursed, raised healthy, goats milk of course :) I think Stephy's appendix was a defect. By the way perhaps good health runs in famillies? Other than to have my children my husband nor I have ever spent the night in the hospital. Vicki

-- Vicki McGaugh (vickilonesomedoe@hotmail.com), October 26, 2001.

Thanks Vicki. I did look into this new procedure and this seems to be the new protocal. Gracie's infection has encapsulated as well. She was on IV antibiotics for 4 days then for 2 weeks with home care unit. She is on oral now because the infection is gone but the area is still too walled off to operate safely. Another 2 weeks should clear this up docs say. So the oral antibiotics are just a preventative at this point. My local pediatrician assured me that this was the newest way of dealing with this type of appendicitis and was safer for the children. My daughter was at the University Hospital so I feel pretty confident that this is the best route to go. I am anxious to have this all over with I can tell you that much!!! Very scary. I can't imagine living without any one of my children and this was a close call in my estimation.

-- Tiffani (cappello@alltel.net), October 27, 2001.

The BEST fiber supplement is ground flax seed. It is also an EXCELLENT source of Omega-3 fatty acids that most people are missing in their diets. You must grind it first, as it will go through your system whole otherwise, and it should be ground fresh each time because the oils go rancid quickly and lose their nutritional value. I use a cheap coffee grinder. Each morning I add it to oatmeal (after it's cooked), or add it to juice, yogurt( flax doesn't have much flavor), add it to bread dough (be sure to bake at a low temp, or sprinkle it on just about anything. Always drink lots of water when adding any fiber supplement. I buy our flax seed in bulk from a food coop, but most health food stores and many large grocery chains carry it in smaller amounts.

-- Tina in WI (jtdurie@frontiernet.net), October 27, 2001.

The appendix is a blind pouch on the intestine: think if the rumen of a cow never developed. Usually mother nature is enough to prevent problems, but sometimes that isn't enough. Appendicitis is sometimes caused by the intestinal contents getting into the appendix (food in the appendix is not normal for humans), but sometimes it just occurs and no one knows why.

-- (hooperterri@prodigy.net), October 27, 2001.


Yes, Tiffani, that IS IT!!! Whole wheat is not water soluble fiber, oat meal is though, and all sorts of brightly colored vegetables are excellent sources too. I think you found the answer, more deep green and yellow and orange vegetable sources, and use more oat source grains in your daily menus. There are lots of uses for oats than oatmeal, but a daily bowl of it works wonders!!!

-- Annie Miller in SE OH (annie@1st.net), October 28, 2001.

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