| Appendicitis | |||||
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- What is appendicitis?
- Symptoms of appendicitis
- Causes of appendicitis
- Treatment of appendicitis
- Important appendicitis facts
Appendicitis is an inflammation of the appendix and requires immediate medical attention.
The appendix is a small appendage of the colon (or large intesting) which is attached at the cecum (the start of the colon).
Appendicitis should never be treated lightly, as a severe infection and possble rupturing of the appendix can inflame the whole of the abdomen and have serious consequences.
- Abdominal pain - this is normally the first (and sometimes main) symptom
- Loss of appetite
- Low grade fever
- Nausea
- Swelling of the abdomen
- Vomiting
The causes of inflammation due to appendicitis is not well known.
Sometimes though, if a small piece of hardened stool (faecaliths) get stuck in the appendix, it can cause an infection of the appendix and cause appendicitis, although this is not known to be the main cause of appendicitis.
Diagnosis and testing
Since appendicitis has such similar symptoms to other conditions affecting the abdominal organs, it can be a challange to diagnose it.
To confirm appendicitis (or rule it out), the doctor will:
- Examine the abdomen for pain and tenderness, particularly where these originate from
- Blood and urine tests will be taken
- X-ray of the abdomen is usually done
- CT scan is sometimes performed too
- observation of the symptoms to see if the improve
Treatment
The only conventional way that appendicitis is treated is through an appendectomy - surgical removal of the appendix. This surgery normally requires 2-3 days stay in hospital to recuperate and be under observation.
If there are complication, (the appendix bursts, or other things go wrong), the patient will be advised to stay in hospital longer to rule out any subsequent infections.
- The appendix is part of the lymphatic system and contains lymphatic tissue (although scientists do not really know what function it has)
- Appendicitis mostly occurs in children and young adults aged between 8 - 25 years
- Appendicitis is rare in young children, especially in those under 2 years
- Appendicitis is the most common abdominal surgery for children and younger adults
references
- Abeş M, Petik B, Kazil S. Nonoperative treatment of acute appendicitis in children. J Pediatr Surg, 42(8): 1439-42
- Bennett J, Boddy A, Rhodes M. Choice of Approach for Appendicectomy: A Meta-analysis of Open Versus Laparoscopic Appendicectomy. Surg Laparosc Endosc Percutan Tech, 17(4): 245-55
To learn more, go to the Chidren's Hospital Westmead - Appendicitis Fact Sheet (Australia).
