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Appendix or Appendicitis


What is Appendix or Appendicitis?


Appendicitis can happen at any time, but it occurs most often between the ages of 10 and 30. It’s more common in males than in females.

If left untreated, appendicitis may cause your appendix to burst and cause infection. This can be serious and sometimes fatal.

The appendix is a narrow, small, finger-shaped portion of the large intestine that generally hangs down from the lower right side of the abdomen.

If the appendix becomes infected (appendicitis), the infected appendix must be surgically removed (emergency appendectomy) before a hole develops in the appendix and spreads the infection to the entire abdominal space (peritonitis).

Appendicitis is a sudden inflammation of the appendix. Although the appendix does not seem to serve any purpose, it can become diseased and, if untreated, can burst, causing infection and even death.

The cause of appendicitis is usually unknown. Appendicitis may occur after a viral infection in the digestive tract or when the tube connecting the large intestine and appendix is blocked or trapped by stool. It is thought that blockage of the opening of the appendix into the bowel by a hard, small stool fragment causes inflammation and infection of the appendix. The inflammation can cause infection, a blood clot, or rupture of the appendix.

The infected appendix then must be surgically removed before a hole develops in the appendix and spreads the infection to the entire abdominal space.



What Causes Appendicitis?


Appendicitis occurs when the appendix becomes blocked, often by stool, a foreign body, or cancer. Blockage may also occur from infection, since the appendix can swell in response to any infection in the body.



What are the symptoms of Appendicitis?


•  Abdominal pain - Pain may begin in the upper-middle abdomen then develop to sharp localized pain

•  Abdominal pain may be worse when walking or coughing

•  Fever usually occurs within several hours

•  Loss of appetite

•  Nausea

•  Vomiting

•  Constipation

•  Diarrhea

•  Abdominal swelling

•  Rectal tenderness

•  Chills and shaking

•  Appendicitis pain may start as mild cramping. It often becomes more steady and severe over time. You may also feel a general pain        become more targeted.

•  You likely will not notice changes in your bowel habits. However, appendicitis can sometimes affect urination.



What is treatment for Appendicitis?


Treatment for appendicitis varies. 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 has not ruptured, doctor may first administer antibiotics. Doctor will then drain the abscess using a tube placed through your skin. After you have received treatment for the infection, you’ll undergo surgery to remove your appendix.

If you have a ruptured abscess or appendix, surgery may be necessary right away. Surgery to remove the appendix is known as an appendectomy.

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.

In rare cases, appendicitis may get better without surgery. This is only an option if your abdominal pain is minimal and your diagnostic tests are normal. In this scenario, your treatment plan might only involve antibiotics and a liquid diet until your symptoms resolve.


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