Appendicitis Recovery Time

Appendicitis is usually treated by the removal of the appendix. Typically, when appendicitis is suspected, a doctor is likely to suggest prompt surgery, which reduces the chances of it rupturing. This step is sometimes taken without extensive diagnostic testing, depending on the severity of the case.

The appendicitis recovery time is dependent upon the age of the patient, his/her condition, complications, and other circumstances. It is usually between 10 and 28 days, while for young children (10 years and younger), it could take three weeks. Most patients can expect a full recovery from an appendicitis surgery about 4 to 6 weeks after surgery. However, if your appendix has burst, the appendicitis recovery period may be longer. During this period, if adequate care is taken, one can return to their normal life without making changes to their diet, exercise or lifestyle. Here are some steps you can take to help your body heal, and minimize any chances of appendicitis recovery related complications:

• Rest: It is vital to avoid strenuous activity during the initial stages of your appendicitis recovery period. If you underwent a laparoscopic surgery, keep your activity to a minimum during the initial stages (first three to five days after surgery) of the recovery period. However, if you had an open appendectomy, ensure that your activity for the first 10 to 14 days after surgery, is limited. As each case is different, it is best to follow your doctors advice as to when you should resume normal activity.
• Support: Remember to support your abdomen every time you cough. You are likely to experience abdominal pain whenever you laugh, cough, or move. The way to provide support to the area operated upon is to place a pillow on your abdomen, and gently apply pressure before you move, in order to brace yourself.
• Manage Pain: While you are expected to experience some pain during appendicitis recovery after surgery, excess pain is detrimental to your progress. It puts extra stress on your body, consequently slowing down the healing process. If the pain is more than slight discomfort, or still there despite prescribed pain medications, inform your doctor about it.
• Activity: Follow your doctors instructions about movement. Start moving about from the time your physician allows it, and gradually increase your activity every day. When you are ready, incorporate short walks into your schedule.
• Sleep: You are likely to need more sleep, especially in the beginning stages of your acute appendicitis recovery time. Listen to your body; if you feel sleepy, take it easy and sleep or rest for longer hours.
• Work/School: Talk to your doctor about your plans of resuming work or returning to school. Kids may be ready to return to school in less than a week after surgery, however, care must be taken that all strenuous activity, such as sports or gym class, should be avoided for two to four weeks after surgery. You will be the best judge as to when is the right time, and you should only get back to work when you feel ready. Read more on Appendicitis in Children.

Good nutrition is also very important to help the body heal and regenerate. If your appendicitis recovery food includes any of the following supplements, you may recover faster:

• About 250,000 IU beta-carotene or 25,000 IU of vitamin A, everyday, will help promote healthy scar tissue. However, be sure to consult your doctor before taking these high doses, and never take them for more than a week or two. After a period of two weeks, reduce the dosage of beta-carotene to 50,000 IU and vitamin A to 15,000 to 25,000 IU per day. Beware, if you have a history of liver disease, are pregnant or trying to conceive, do not take vitamin A. Read more on appendicitis in pregnancy.
• Vitamin C strengthens the immune system and assists the healing of skin. You can take about 1,000 mg two to six times everyday, but if you begin to have diarrhea, reduce the dose.
• Other vitamins that promote healing are Vitamin E (400 to 800 IU a day) and zinc (10 to 30 mg per day).
• About 40 mg of Bromelain, four times a day between meals, helps reduce post-surgical bruising, swelling, healing time, and pain.
• L-arginine has a history of being used to improve the healing process in patients who have undergone surgery. There are a few reports that connect high arginine doses with a rise in herpes outbreaks, specifically in people who have been previously infected with the herpes virus. For this reason, consult your doctor before taking arginine.

By following the above provided instructions, and incorporating some of these supplements into one's diet, a person can reduce the normal appendicitis recovery time. A word of caution, before consuming any additional supplements or herbs, or making any significant changes in your routine, consult your doctor about them.