Appendicitis
Overview of appendicitis A condition in which the appendix becomes inflamed and filled with faecoliths, causing pain.
The appendix is a pouch-like structure attached at the start of the large intestine, believed to serve immunological purpose.
Appendicitis begins with fever and pain near the belly button and then moves toward the lower-right side of the abdomen. This is often accompanied by nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, fever and chills.
Appendicitis is usually treated with antibiotics and surgery is required within 24 hours of its diagnosis. If untreated, the appendix can rupture and cause an abscess or systemic infection (sepsis).
Cause Appendicitis may be caused by various infections, such as viruses, bacteria, or parasites, in your digestive tract. Often, it may happen when the tube that joins your appendix with your large intestine gets blocked or trapped by stool. Sometimes tumors can cause appendicitis.
. Symptoms . Symptoms
Requires a medical diagnosis
Appendicitis begins with fever and pain near the belly button and then moves toward the lower-right side of the abdomen. This is often accompanied by nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, fever and chills.
People may experience
Pain areas: in the abdomen, mid-abdomen or right lower abdomen
Pain types: can be dull, sharp, mild or severe
Whole body: chills, fever, loss of appetite or malaise
Gastrointestinal: diarrhoea, nausea or vomiting
Also common: abdominal pain migration
To help diagnose appendicitis, a healthcare professional will likely take a history of symptoms and examine the abdomen.
Diagnosis
Tests used to diagnose appendicitis include:
Physical exam. A healthcare professional may apply gentle pressure on the painful area. When the pressure is suddenly released, appendicitis pain will often feel worse. This is because of inflammation of the lining of the abdominal cavity, called the peritoneum.A care professional also may look for abdominal stiffness and a tendency to flex the abdominal muscles in response to pressure over the inflamed appendix. This is called guarding.
A care professional also may use a lubricated, gloved finger to examine the lower rectum. This is called a digital rectal exam. People of childbearing age may be given a pelvic exam to check for other problems that could be causing the pain.
Blood test. This test checks for a high white blood cell count. A high white blood cell count may mean there's an infection.
Urine test. A urine test, also called a urinalysis, may be done. A urinalysis makes sure that a urinary tract infection or a kidney stone isn't causing the pain.
Imaging tests. Imaging tests may help confirm appendicitis or find other causes for pain. These tests may include an abdominal X-ray, an abdominal ultrasound, a CT scan or an MRI. Appendicitis treatment usually involves surgery to remove the appendix. Before surgery, antibiotics to treat infection may be given.
If your appendicitis isn't serious and doesn't require surgery, antibiotics may be used alone. However, if the appendix isn't removed, there is a higher chance of appendicitis coming back. Treatment Treatment
Surgery to remove the appendix
Appendectomy is a surgery to remove the appendix. Appendectomy can be performed as open surgery using one abdominal cut about 2 to 4 inches long. This is called laparotomy. The surgery also can be done through a few small abdominal cuts. This is called laparoscopic surgery. During a laparoscopic appendectomy, the surgeon places special tools and a video camera into your abdomen to remove your appendix.
In general, laparoscopic surgery allows you to recover faster and heal with less pain and scarring. It may be better for older adults and people with obesity.
But laparoscopic surgery isn't right for everyone. You may need an open appendectomy if your appendix has ruptured and infection has spread beyond the appendix, or you have an abscess. An open appendectomy allows your surgeon to clean the abdominal cavity.
Expect to spend 1 to 2 days in the hospital after your appendectomy.
Draining an abscess before appendix surgery
If your appendix has burst and an abscess has formed around it, the abscess may be drained. To drain it, a tube is placed through your skin into the abscess. Appendectomy can be performed several weeks later, after the infection is under control.
If your appendicitis isn't serious and doesn't require surgery, antibiotics may be used alone. However, if the appendix isn't removed, there is a higher chance of appendicitis coming back.
If your appendicitis isn't serious and doesn't require surgery, antibiotics may be used alone. However, if the appendix isn't removed, there is a higher chance of appendicitis coming back. Treatment Treatment
Treatment
Appendicitis treatment usually involves surgery to remove the appendix. Before surgery, antibiotics to treat infection may be given.
Surgery to remove the appendix
Appendectomy is a surgery to remove the appendix. Appendectomy can be performed as open surgery using one abdominal cut about 2 to 4 inches long. This is called laparotomy. The surgery also can be done through a few small abdominal cuts. This is called laparoscopic surgery. During a laparoscopic appendectomy, the surgeon places special tools and a video camera into your abdomen to remove your appendix.
In general, laparoscopic surgery allows you to recover faster and heal with less pain and scarring. It may be better for older adults and people with obesity.
But laparoscopic surgery isn't right for everyone. You may need an open appendectomy if your appendix has ruptured and infection has spread beyond the appendix, or you have an abscess. An open appendectomy allows your surgeon to clean the abdominal cavity.
Expect to spend 1 to 2 days in the hospital after your appendectomy.
Draining an abscess before appendix surgery
If your appendix has burst and an abscess has formed around it, the abscess may be drained. To drain it, a tube is placed through your skin into the abscess. Appendectomy can be performed several weeks later, after the infection is under control.
