What Is Appendicitis? What Causes Appendicitis?
Editor's ChoiceMain Category: GastroIntestinal / Gastroenterology
Also Included In: Infectious Diseases / Bacteria / Viruses
Article Date: 25 Jul 2009 - 0:00 PST
'What Is Appendicitis? What Causes Appendicitis?'
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Appendicitis is a condition in which the appendix becomes swollen, inflamed, filled with pus. The appendix is a small pouch shaped like a small finger. It is on the right side of the abdomen, connected to the colon.
Experts are not sure what the appendix is for. Charles Darwin theorized that even though the appendix has no use for modern humans, it might have been an organ our ancestors used to digest plants. Recent studies indicate that it may be a dedicated environment for friendly bacteria which facilitate digestion and fight infection.
Appendicitis generally strikes people aged between 10 and 30, but it can affect people of any age. Approximately 250,000 appendectomies are performed in the United States each year to treat apendicitis.
What causes appendicitis?
Experts believe there are two likely causes:- Infection - a stomach infection may have found its way to the appendix.
- Obstruction - a hard piece of stool may have got trapped in the appendix. The bacteria in the trapped stool may then have infected the appendix.
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What are the symptoms of appendicitis?
Initially, some pain can be felt anywhere in the stomach area, but later, as it intensifies, its location becomes more defined in the lower right-hand side of the abdomen - an area known as McBurney point.The following symptoms are common:
- Progressively worsening pain
- Coughing or sneezing is painful
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Inability to pass gas (break wind, fart)
- Fever
- Constipation
- Loss of appetite
Diagnosing appendicitis
Diagnosing appendicitis can be challenging. Half of all patients who have appendicitis do not have typical symptoms - the pain may be located in different parts of the body. Other conditions may have very similar symptoms, such as gastroenteritis, urinary tract infection, ectopic pregnancy, Crohn's disease, or a kidney stone.A GP (general practitioner, primary care physician) will examine the patient and ask some questions related to symptoms. He/she will apply pressure to the area to see if it worsens the pain.
If typical appendicitis signs and symptoms are detected, the GP will diagnose appendicitis. If they are not, further tests will be ordered:
- A blood test - to determine whether there is an infection.
- Urine test - this will identify a kidney or bladder infection. Researchers at the Proteomics Center at Children's Hospital Boston, USA, demonstrated that a protein detectable in urine might serve as a biomarker for appendicitis.
- An MRI, CT or ultrasound scan - to view a 3-D image of the appendix and see whether it is inflamed (swollen). Color Doppler ultrasound, not CT, should be the first imaging examination for adult patients with suspected acute appendicitis, say researchers at Rambam Health Care Campus in Haifa, Israel.
Researchers at the University of California, Los Angeles, found that pregnant women suspected of having appendicitis are often misdiagnosed and undergo unnecessary appendectomies that can result in early delivery or loss of the fetus.
What is the treatment for appendicitis?
Doctors may decide to treat the patient with antibiotics. This is rare and the infection would need to be very mild. In most cases an appendectomy will be performed - the appendix will be surgically removed.- Laparoscopy (keyhole surgery)
Laparoscopic surgery is also known as minimally invasive surgery (MIS), bandaid surgery, or keyhole surgery. The surgeon inserts a very thin tube (laparoscope), which has a tiny video camera and its own lighting, into the abdomen through a cannula. A cannula is a hollow instrument.
Thanks to the tiny video camera, the surgeon can view the insides of the abdomen with magnification on a monitor. Tiny instruments respond to the movements of the surgeon's hands and the appendix is removed through small abdominal incisions.
Thanks to the precision of the operation, minimal loss of blood, and the need for very small incisions, the patient recovers much faster and with less scarring, compared to traditional open surgery. In most cases it is no longer necessary to open the patient up with a large incision.
However, a report in the Journal of the American College of Surgeons suggests that a traditional, open appendectomy may be preferable to a less-invasive laparoscopic appendectomy for most patients with acute appendicitis, contrary to recent trends. Apparently, laparoscopic surgery increases costs and may raise the risk of complications in the majority of appendectomy patients. - Sometimes traditional surgery is necessary
If the appendix has ruptured and infection has spread, or if there is an abscess, a larger incision will be made so that the area inside the abdominal cavity can be cleaned.
Traditional appendectomy is also used if the patient has tumors in the digestive system, if a woman is in her third trimester of pregnancy, or if the patient had many abdominals surgeries before.
After the operation the patient will be given antibiotics intravenously. - Delaying surgery
If the patient has had symptoms for at least five days the doctor may recommend a course of antibiotics in order to shrink the appendix and clear up surrounding infection, and perform surgery later.
If there is an abscess the doctor may decide to drain it first and operate at a later date.
What are the complications of appendicitis?
- Peritonitis
If the appendix ruptures and releases the infection into the abdomen the patient may develop peritonitis. The peritoneum will become inflamed. The peritoneum is the membrane that lines the abdominal cavity and covers most of the abdominal organs. Peritonitis causes the bowels to shut down - bowel movements will stop and the bowel will become blocked. The patient will develop a fever and could go into shock. Peritonitis requires urgent treatment. - Abscess
If the infection seeps out of the appendix and mixes with intestinal contents, it may form an abscess. If the abscess is not treated it can cause peritonitis. Sometimes abscesses are treated with antibiotics. Often they are surgically drained with the aid of a tube which is placed into the abdomen.
Prevention
Countries with lower incidences of appendicitis also tend to have more fiber in their people's diets, compared to other countries. It would therefore be logical to assume that a high fiber diet may help reduce your chances of developing appendicitis. One theory is that with a high fiber diet the resulting softer stools are less likely to get trapped in the appendix.Written by Christian Nordqvist
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Visitor Opinions (latest shown first)
Total 26 opinions, latest 20 shown. For all opinions, click through to the full thread.acute appendicitis
posted by sal on 27 Apr 2012 at 2:33 amI am 45 years old and have just had my appendix removed this week. I have been told this is unusual for my age, to have an acute appendicitis. It all happened quite quickly after lunchtime at work and I was in A and E being treated by the early evening. I didnt know anything about this condition when i went into hospital, why would I, but now I am back at home I have time to look it up. I am intrigued to find what could have caused it. I would be interested to know whether stress is a contributor, even if indirectly?
I have had several problems with my stomach in the last 3 years (reflux and polyps in the stomach which were removed). In the last so many months my stomach has felt, on and off, very hot and tender. But I put it down to heartburn or something. I am assuming whathever was happening in my stomach may have caused the appendix to become inflamed - by a transfer of infection. Thanks for the info on your website.
appendicitis - had it when I was 2
posted by max on 22 Apr 2012 at 10:34 ami had it when i was 2 years old
will it effect me. will i have more bad germs in my body?
can appendix affect at the left side
posted by ajayi temidayo on 13 Apr 2012 at 2:07 pmwhat is the effect of appendix in the body
What I learned and cost...
posted by Christina Loew on 7 Apr 2012 at 8:40 amI was sick for two days before I figured out the problem. I thought I was just having a sever period. I suffer every month so I just assumed it was a bad one. I was up all night Friday, sick with diarrhea. Saturday morning around 8:00 am I began throwing up. Pain two days prior was my whole abdomen, by Saturday morning it was localized to my right side, about four inches from my bellybutton. I decided by noon, it was time to go to the emergency room. The pain was still all over abdomen, but real pain was on the right when pressed. Most surgeons will not perform the Laparoscopy (keyhole surgery), or even general surgery without a CAT Scan. For some reason it took the doctor four hours to even arrive, by that time I was really sick. He said it was is bad shape, hot and sweating. I have three small holes ranging in size 1/2"-2 1/2", it has been two weeks and they are healed. I don't think I am even going to scar. I was very sick the two days in the hospital, they had me on intravenous antibiotics, terrible headaches, and sore all over (I think I may have had the flu on top of it). I was released after only two days. I was a little sore, and down right sick for about a week. The incisions were glued as well as stitched, I am sure I would of felt a lot worse had it been traditional surgery. I am still VERY tired and I get winded very easy, surgeon said that is the biggest complaint of this type of surgery, it can last awhile. I was also told that I can lift up to 20 pounds this week and then add 10 pounds each week. It takes time to heal. So far I have received the anesthesiologist bill, it was $1650.00, the hospital bill came today it is $2601.00 (but that includes a cyst removal from my Fallopian tube, he found that while doing the surgery. That was an extra $1168.00). So it would be about $1433.00 for the appendix. My hospital is a not for profit so I don't know if these are general costs. I have yet to receive the surgeon's follow-up bill, or the emergency room bill. I am a 43 (just turned 4/2) female. I prefer homeopathic treatments, but sometimes surgery is the only choice. God Bless You. :o)
Environmental causes of appendicitis
posted by Virgil Banowetz on 28 Mar 2012 at 9:02 amMy father, grandfather, one and only brother, my wife's grandfather, and I all had appendicitis.
We all grew up on a farm.
I have 4 sons who grew up in the Philadelphia suburbs and none had appendicitis.
The correlation with pollution would not seem to be a factor. Diet (fiber) is more likely based on the Calgary study. I also wonder if the greasy food we grew up with at the time was a factor. My wife and I always bought whole wheat bread and almost never fried food, so our sons had a better diet.
do i have appendicitis?
posted by joy on 11 Feb 2012 at 12:25 ami have pain in my abdomen then goes down to my lower part of the stomach,then mostly i have lost my appetite and i have no vomitting condition but it easily irritating ..
Appendicitis is quiet dangerous
posted by Nonhlanhla on 9 Feb 2012 at 5:32 amWe didn't know what was wrong with him,we thought he's catching a fever but to our suprice we went to the doctor and got the news that he has appendix..and we had to send him straight to hospital and thank God he got help immediately.
Good facts
posted by carie on 7 Feb 2012 at 5:01 pmI remember when I had appendicitis, it sure was the most painful thing in my life so far.
All of the symptoms are there, I pratically vomited everything I ate, and what I drank.I was at school, and I firt felt a punching pain in my stomach. So I went to the school nurse, everyone knew something was wrong, I NEVER go to the nurse. My parents were at work, so I had to go home with my grandmother wh drives like hell.
A great experience*
just got surgery - good site for those with appendix problems
posted by Trevor on 10 Jan 2012 at 1:02 pmI too had appendicitis and ended up in the ER 01/10/12 if i would of known this website was her i would of gone sooner.
This website has made me understand alot of the things i had questions to.I would suggest this website to anybody with appendix probmlems.
AWESOME
posted by Nancy on 7 Dec 2011 at 6:46 pmThis was so helpful I am 15 years old and always have a problem with my stomach it always hurts,I get headaches and feeling like I need to vomit. I kept wondering if it wad normal and I heard about Appendicitis And helpful thanks very much!
Free surgery
posted by Josh on 22 Oct 2011 at 9:18 pmJust had the so called "keyhole surgery" and it didnt cost me a dime! Thank god for canadian healthcare!!!
Appendicitis - hopefully not
posted by Madeline and Allison on 19 Aug 2011 at 11:02 amHopefully our friend doesn't have appendicitis , she has progressively worsening pain , nausea , inability to pass gas , a small fever , constipation , and loss of appetite. She has 6 out of 9 symptoms. She is 11 years old. (she will be 12 in fifteen days). She has had blood drawn, and she has taken a urine test. Soon she is going to have a CT scan. We hope the best for her.
APPENDICITIS
posted by ashok on 14 Aug 2011 at 9:27 pmMy daughter got this pain few days back .I also thought it was Mascular pain couples with food poisoning .I got to the Doc next day who immediately found Nausea and pain on right side as symptoms of apendicitis. Her Appendix was in a difficult position for surgeon to remove laparascopically. There were adhesions to the appendix .There were stone like things inside appendix
Thank you very much for current and accurate info.
posted by Abinos on 11 Apr 2011 at 9:55 ami also experienced all those symptoms as stated in this article. My appendix was diaognosed through 3D scan and it gave possitive info that made the person who was doing the scan to immediately call the surgeon and book me in for appendectomy.
I suggest that physicians having in patient with symptoms as mentioned in this article, must be quickly rushed for 3D scan and blood test before may consider x-rays afterward. X-rayx are just still pictures that cannot give you the full picture of the real issue.
I say this because it happened to me the night before I was diagnosed through 3-D scan which gave possitve result that leaded to the right decision making of going for appendectomy which made me recover quick.
X-rays were taken but they gave the doctor a slight view that made her take wrong decision by not admitting me into a ward as I was lying in pains at casualty. She quoted by virtue of what she saw from the x-ray films, "its only three bowels that shows the stomach constipation". She there instructed the nursing staff to release me to go home.
My opinion is that x-ray is best for fructures/bones issues, then 3D scan is best for the rest inside a human body.
Thank you very much to 3D scan because you the physicians a quick results to save my life..
Medical knowledge
posted by Louise on 20 Mar 2011 at 12:34 amAfter I had a surgeon of appendicitis, I found and read this news on the website. I increase more related knowledge. It's a very good website that I would recommend readers to read. Thank you very much.
Appendicitis
posted by Lynette on 9 Mar 2011 at 1:40 amThanks for the info.
Not sure if it is really appendicitis, but l feel pains on the lower abdomen right side and no other symptoms. Have been treating myself for urianry infection all the time thinking it might be that instead. My appetite is goo, l don't vomit, bowl movement good, just slight discomfort when l sneeze on the same spot.
Appendicitis
posted by Lynette on 9 Mar 2011 at 1:38 amThanks for the info.
Not sure if it is really appendicitis, but l feel pains on the lower abdomen right side and no other symptoms. Have been treating myself for urinary infection all the time thinking it might be that instead. My appetite is goo, l dont vomit, bowl movement good, just slight discomfort when l sneeze on the same spot.
thanks for the information
posted by susan manda on 14 Jan 2011 at 6:32 ami was given an assignment to present in class on appendicitis so i have found almost all the information from this article. thank you very much continue
Appendicitis
posted by MELCHORA on 31 Oct 2010 at 4:29 amThanks for the good information about this subject "appendicitis",this will help me know the real condition of my daughter who suuffered abdominal pain last two days ago.right now i'm planning to send her for a real professional check-up.Thanks once again.God bless and more power to this site.
appendicitis
posted by paul on 28 Oct 2010 at 4:17 amfor couple of months i've been noticing sever pains in my right side of the abdomen,i went for a scan and the result shows that i have appendicitis. i went to complain to a doctor and he gave me some medication to suppress the sever effect.few days ago i started noticing some strange reactions in my system and went back to complain to my doctor while he adviced to go for surgical operation.I actually observed the following symptoms:blood in urine for two days of the third day of the medication(5days).dificulty in defication,vomitting(twice),lose of appetite,lose of weight,profuse urine,worms restless in my stomach etc.i will like to know the effect of the operation most expecially in having children later in future and also to know if the operation is a serious one that can lead to other things,i mean if the operation is a major or minor?i will appreciate your reply as soon as possiple because am getting ready for the operation.
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