What Is Appendicitis? What Causes Appendicitis?

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Main Category: GastroIntestinal / Gastroenterology
Also Included In: Infectious Diseases / Bacteria / Viruses
Article Date: 25 Jul 2009 - 0:00 PST

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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: Scientists at the University of Calgary, Canada, found a link between high pollution levels and a higher incidence of appendicitis.

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: Anybody who experiences a progressively worsening pain in the abdomen should seek medical attention. Other conditions may have similar symptoms, such as urinary tract infection; even so, they all require urgent medical attention.

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.

Not everybody has their appendix in exactly the same place - some are located behind the colon, behind the liver, or in the pelvis.

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: Sometimes a decision will be made to surgically remove the appendix because it is too risky to wait around for the tests to confirm the diagnosis.

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.

What are the complications of appendicitis?

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
Copyright: Medical News Today
Not to be reproduced without permission of Medical News Today

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Christian Nordqvist. "What Is Appendicitis? What Causes Appendicitis?." Medical News Today. MediLexicon, Intl., 25 Jul. 2009. Web.
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