Appendicitis is the medical term for an inflamed appendix, which can cause severe pain in the lower abdomen. The appendix is a small, tube-shaped pouch about the size of a finger extending from the large intestine’s lower right end. When waste passes through the large intestine, it may infect or obstruct the appendix, leading to inflammation. This inflammation can swell the appendix and potentially burst. Below are the causes, symptoms, and remedies.
Overview
Appendicitis disperses the bacteria from your bowels across the abdominal cavity. This infection may spread to the bloodstream resulting in sepsis or other life-threatening complications. Given the complications, the standard treatment is to remove the appendix. But you wouldn’t miss it since it is not a vital body organ. When an appendix bursts, it becomes a medical emergency.
Causes and risk factors
Unfortunately, the exact causes of appendicitis are still unknown. However, there may be a familial link to the condition. It is impossible to predict when or if one may develop appendicitis. The condition typically arises from one of two issues.
- An obstruction that curtails the appendix’s opening
- A gastrointestinal infection (fungal, bacterial, or viral) that spreads to the appendix
In the first case, there may be many possible sources of blockage. These include:
- Trauma or abdominal injury
- Ulcers and irritation in the gastrointestinal tract
- Foreign objects, such as bullets, stones, or pins
- Parasites, hardened stools, or any other growths
- Lymph tissue in the appendix walls, which enlarges
Air pollution can increase the likelihood of developing appendicitis. Elevated ozone levels may worsen inflammation in the intestine and increase the risk of infection. If the appendix becomes blocked or infected, bacteria can rapidly multiply inside the organ, leading to swelling and pus.
Symptoms
Appendicitis pain usually commences as a mild cramping in the belly button area or upper abdomen, which then travels to the abdomen’s lower right quadrant. Typically the pain:
- Starts suddenly
- Aggravates when you cough or move
- It is so intense that it wakes you up from sleep
- Worsens in only a few hours
- It is severe and varies from other abdominal pain you may have experienced before
Other appendicitis symptoms include:
- Nausea
- Low-grade fever
- Loss of appetite
- Vomiting
- Indigestion
- Abdominal swelling
In some rare instances, you may also experience bowel issues, such as:
- Constipation
- Diarrhea
- Inability to pass gas
- Desire to pass bowel
Do not take laxatives or use an enema if you are constipated and suspect appendicitis, as such treatments can burst the appendix.
Treatment options
If you have appendicitis, doctors often suggest antibiotics as a treatment option. In some instances, antibiotics alone may be sufficient to cure the condition, eliminating the need for surgery. However, in most cases, it is necessary to have the appendix removed. Some of the most effective surgical treatments for appendicitis include:
Laparoscopy
Medical professionals opt for a minor cut to minimize scarring and expedite healing.
Open surgery
In rare instances, the surgeon will make a larger incision to clean the area inside the abdominal cavity. It is a preferred alternative when:
- The appendix causes abscesses.
- Appendix ruptures, and the infection spreads.
- The patient develops tumors in the digestive system.
- The patient is in the 3rd trimester of pregnancy.
- The patient has had several abdominal surgeries in the past.
- Following the open surgery, the doctor will prescribe antibiotics intravenously.
