What is appendicitis?
Appendicitis is inflammation of the appendix. It may be
acute or chronic.
The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney
Diseases states that appendicitis is the most common
cause of abdominal pain resulting in surgery in the United
States. About 5 percent of the American population
experiences appendicitis at some point in their lives.
Appendicitis can occur at any time, but it occurs most often
between the ages of 10 and 30. Its more common in men
than in women. Complications from appendicitis can be
serious and even fatal.
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What causes appendicitis?
In many cases, the cause for appendicitis is unknown.
There can also be multiple causes for any one case of
appendicitis. Doctors believe that one cause of this
condition an obstruction in the appendix. Obstruction may
be either partial or complete. Complete obstruction is a
cause for emergency surgery.
Obstruction is often due to an accumulation of fecal matter.
It can also be the result of:
enlarged lymphoid follicles
worms
trauma
tumors
When theres an obstruction in your appendix, bacteria can
multiply inside the organ. This leads to the formation of
pus. The increased pressure can be painful. It can also
compress local blood vessels. A lack of blood flow to the
appendix may cause gangrene.
If the appendix ruptures, fecal matter can fill the abdomen.
This is a medical emergency.
Peritonitis is one possible consequence of a ruptured
appendix. Its an inflammation of the tissue that lines the
abdominal wall. Other organs can also become inflamed
after a rupture. Affected organs may include the cecum,
bladder, and sigmoid colon.
If the infected appendix leaks instead of ruptures, it can
form an abscess. This confines the infection to a small
walled off area. However, an abscess can still be
dangerous.
What are the symptoms of
appendicitis?
Symptoms of appendicitis include:
You
pain around the bellybutton
lower right side abdominal pain
loss of appetite
nausea
vomiting
diarrhea
constipation
inability to pass gas
abdominal swelling
low grade fever
a sense you might feel better after passing stool
may experience one or more of these symptoms.
Appendicitis pain may start off as mild cramping. It often
becomes more steady and severe with time. You wont
necessarily notice changes in your bowel habits. However,
sometimes appendicitis can affect urination.
If you suspect you may have appendicitis, you should avoid
taking laxatives or having an enema. The Cleveland
Clinic notes that these treatments can cause your appendix
to burst if youre experiencing appendicitis.
If you have right side tenderness along with any of these
other symptoms, talk to a doctor. Appendicitis can quickly
become a medical emergency. Rupture rarely happens
within the first 24 hours of symptoms.
A perforated appendix can be fatal. The risk of death is
highest in infants and the elderly.
How is appendicitis diagnosed?
Your doctor will begin by performing a physical exam. A
physical exam for appendicitis looks for tenderness in the
lower right quadrant of your abdomen. If youre pregnant,
the pain may be higher. If perforation occurs, your stomach
may become hard and swollen.
A swollen, rigid belly is a symptom that should be
discussed with a doctor right away.
In addition to looking for tenderness, your doctor will
perform several tests for appendicitis:
Urinalysis can rule out a urinary tract infection or
kidney stone.
Pelvic exams can make certain that women dont have
reproductive problems. They can also rule out other
pelvic infections.
Pregnancy tests can rule out a suspected ectopic
pregnancy.
Abdominal imaging can determine if you have an
abscess or other complications. This may be done with
an X-ray, ultrasound, or CT scan.
Chest X-ray can rule out right lower lobe pneumonia.
This sometimes has symptoms similar to appendicitis.
What are the treatment
options for appendicitis?
Treatment for appendicitis varies.
In rare cases, appendicitis may get better without surgery.
Treatment might involve only antibiotics and a liquid diet.
In most cases, however, surgery will be necessary. The type
of surgery will depend on the details of your case.
If you have an abscess that hasnt ruptured, you may
receive antibiotics first. Your doctor will then drain your
abscess using a tube placed through your skin. Surgery will
remove your appendix after youve received treatment for
the infection.
If you have a ruptured abscess or appendix, surgery may
be necessary right away. Surgery to remove the appendix
is known as an appendectomy.
A doctor can perform this procedure as open surgery or
through a laparoscopy. Laparoscopy is less invasive,
making the recovery time shorter. However, open surgery
may be necessary if you have an abscess or peritonitis.
How can I prevent
appendicitis?
You cant prevent appendicitis, but there are steps you can
take to lower your risk. Its less common in people who
have diets high in fiber. Eating a healthy diet that contains
lots of fresh fruits and vegetables increases your fiber
intake.
Seek medical attention immediately if you think you have
appendicitis. Untreated appendicitis can become a medical
emergency.
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