Appendicitis
What is it?
Appendicitis is the inflammation of the appendix.
The appendix is a worm-shaped pouch that projects from
the cecum, which is the point at which the large
intestine joins the small intestine. The appendix is
located in the lower right abdomen and is not essential
to the body’s function.
Who gets it?
Anyone can get appendicitis, and it is the most
common reason for emergency abdominal surgery.
Appendicitis is most likely to occur between the ages
of 10 and 30. It occurs most often in boys between the
ages of 10 and 14 and girls 15 to 19. It is less common
in the elderly and infants.
What causes it?
Researchers are not sure what causes appendicitis,
but think it may be a blockage between the large
intestine and appendix, or a viral or bacterial
infection.
What are the symptoms?
An inflamed appendix causes mild to severe pain that
moves from the navel to the lower right abdomen. The
lower right abdomen may be extremely sensitive to touch
and the pain is often worse with movement and strain,
such as sneezing, coughing, or taking a deep breath.
Other symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, loss of
appetite, fever, diarrhea, constipation, weight loss,
and a swollen abdomen. However, some people may not
experience all of these symptoms. An inflamed appendix
can become so swollen that it ruptures, spilling its
infected contents into the abdominal cavity. This can
cause a life-threatening infection called peritonitis.
Never treat appendicitis symptoms with laxatives or
enemas because they can cause the inflamed appendix to
rupture. A ruptured appendix that is not treated
immediately can cause death.
How is it diagnosed?
A diagnosis of appendicitis is based upon a physical
examination and the patient’s symptoms. The doctor will
ask you about the location of the pain and how long you
have felt it. He or she will press gently on your
abdomen to check for tenderness and swelling in the
area of the appendix. The doctor may order blood tests
to check for a high white blood count, which is a sign
of infection, and ultrasound or computed tomography
(CT) scans to check the condition of the appendix. He
or she may order additional tests to rule out other
disorders, such as urinary tract infections, tubal
pregnancies, and bowel obstructions, that can cause
similar symptoms. If you are a woman and your doctor
suspects a cause other than appendicitis, he or she
might recommend a laparoscopic study. A small, lighted
viewing tube, called a laparoscope, is inserted into a
small incision in the abdomen to check for disorders of
the reproductive system.
What is the treatment?
Appendicitis is treated with surgery to remove the
appendix, called an appendectomy. This surgery is
usually performed as soon as possible after the
diagnosis has been made to avoid a rupture. In many
cases, appendectomies can be performed with
laparoscopic surgery. The surgeon makes a small
incision in the abdomen and inserts the laparoscope.
The laparoscope is like a tiny video camera that gives
the surgeon a clear view of the abdominal area. Other
small incisions are made to insert the surgical
instruments used to remove the appendix. Because the
appendix is not necessary to the body’s function,
people who have an appendectomy make a full recovery
and are able to continue with life as usual.
Self-care tips
There is no known way to prevent appendicitis.
However, a healthy lifestyle, including a diet high in
fiber and antioxidants, as well as moderate exercise,
goes a long way in preventing illness and disease.
This information has been designed as a comprehensive and quick reference
guide written by our health care reviewers. The health information written
by our authors is intended to be a supplement to the care provided by your
physician. It is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for
professional medical advice.
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