Appendicitis Causes, Symptoms and Treatments

What is Appendicitis?

Appendicitis can be called as the inflammation of appendix, which can be chronic or acute. Appendix on the other hand is a small and finger shaped protrusion found inside the colon. These are often found over the lower right quadrant of patient’s abdomen without any purpose. As per the Principles of Harrison of Internal Medicine, the appendicitis can be called as the most common kind of medical emergency in the US. More than 250,000 cases of appendicitis are performed on an annual basis. These can occur in the age group of 10 to 30 and it is more common in men than the women. 

What Causes Appendicitis?

Generally the experts feel that this condition is caused to the obstruction found in appendix. A majority obstruction can be either complete or partial. The complete obstructions are caused for the emergency surgery. The obstruction can be often caused with the accumulation of fecal matter, which is caused owing to the following reasons:

·         Enlarged Lymphoid follicles

·         Worms

·         Trauma

·         Tumours

When you find the appendix getting obstructed, the bacteria can be seen multiplying inside the organ. This can lead to formation of pus. When the appendix is obstructed, the bacteria can be seen multiplying within the organ leading to pus formation.  The increased pressure can be really painful, which can compress over the local blood vessels and the lack of the blood flow to the appendix can even cause issues like gangrene. 

What Are the Symptoms of Appendicitis?

There are several symptoms when it comes to appendicitis, the following are the ones:

·         Abdominal pain over the lower right side

·         The appetite loss

·         Nausea

·         Vomiting

·         Diarrhoea

·         Constipation

·         Inability to pass gas

·         Abdominal swelling

·         Low grade fever

·         Good feeling after passing the stool

You may find the pain due to appendicitis to be mild cramping, which usually becomes severe and steady in nature. You would not often notice any kind of changes seen in the bowel habits. But at times these can hamper the urination. 

How Is Appendicitis Diagnosed?

There are various ways by which the appendicitis is diagnosed. A physical exam for appendicitis is carried out over the abdomen area. For pregnant ladies the pain due to this can be higher. Due to perforation, the stomach can become much swollen and hard. You need to discuss the symptoms like rigid or swollen belly with your doctor without any delay. Also, your doctor on listening to these symptoms can carry out the following tests:

·         Urinalysis: It can prevent the urinary tract infection or kidney stone.

·         Pelvic exams: These can help in finding out the cause of reproductive problems among women. Also, these can rule out the other infection pertaining to pelvic issues.

·         Pregnancy tests for finding out susceptible ectopic pregnancy.

·         Abdominal imaging: This helps in finding out with X-ray ultrasound or CT scan

·         Chest x-ray: it can rule out right lower-lobe pneumonia which come along with symptoms like appendicitis.

How Is Appendicitis Treated?

The treatment for Appendicitis can vary.  In rare cases, you can find the appendicitis may be treated without having the surgery. The treatment can involve both liquid diet and antibiotics. In a majority of cases, the surgery is only the resort and the kind of surgery you choose would depend upon the details in the case you have. If you have issues like abscess, which are not seeing getting ruptured, you would first of all need to get its treatment with the help of antibiotics. Your abscess would help in draining up the tube that is places over the skin. With the help of surgery, your appendix after the infection can be treated. If you are seen with the ruptured abscess or the appendix surgery, you can find the right option for the same. The procedure is usually done either the option of open or laparoscopic option. 

Appendectomy: What to Expect

Apprentices though cannot be prevented but is rare among people who have diets having higher amount of fiber.  This simply includes diets that comprises of vegetables and fresh fruits. The kind of outcome you have after the surgery would depend upon the type of surgery you have. If you have gone for the minimally invasive option, you may return to your normal life within 3 weeks after the surgery, however, with the open option you may take time to heal and return to work. After the surgery the issue of appendix goes away and the patient resumes to normal life.