Appendicitis - Causes, Symptoms and Treatment
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by: Vanya Hartwell
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In the U.S. 1 in 15 people suffer from the appendicitis. This disease can appear at any age; it is rare at children under age 2 and common between ages 10 and 30. The appendicitis may be defined as an inflammation of the appendix, which is a 3 1/2-inch-long tube of tissue that enlarges from the large intestine.It is known that people can live without appendix. Causes of Appendicitis It is thought that appendicitis begins when the opening from the appendix into the cecum becomes blocked. The blockage may be due to a build-up of thick mucus within the appendix or to stool that enters the appendix from the cecum. Causes of appendicitis's are not very clear but it can result to an obstruction when food waste or a hard piece of stool can become trapped in an orifice of the cavity that runs the length of your appendix. Appendicitis may also follow an infection, such as a gastrointestinal viral infection, or it may result from other types of inflammation. Obstruction is mostly caused by foreign bodies or by a viral or bacterial infection that cause lymph nodes to swell. This is medically called lymphoid hyperplasia. In a small number of persons appendicitis can be post-traumatically after accidents or injuries. Other people have a hereditary susceptibility to appendicle obstruction. In some cases a person's body is able to contain the infection and rupture of the appendix by healing this area without the need of surgical intervention, this only happens if the infection doesn't spread across the abdominal area. After a person's body has successfully healed this problem the symptoms and pain may disappear however, an internal scar is formed which is felt from the exterior as a lump which raises suspicion of cancer. Worms: Although it's not very common in the western world it is quite common in third world countries for people to become infested with worms which can actually block the lumen, again once this happens there is the reduced blood supply to the appendix and the possible onset of appendicitis. Shistosomiasis and Pinworm worms are most commonly associated with this. Symptoms of Appendicitis The common appendicitis symptoms appear differently at the women which develop appendicitis during pregnancy.So these women who have pain on the right side of abdomen and those who are in the third trimester must consult quickly the doctor. To diagnose appendicitis at infants and young children is more difficult because they cannot communicate their symptoms with their parents or doctors. Because the children cannot explain very well the symptoms, doctors must rely on a physical exam and less specific symptoms, like vomiting and fatigue. The classic symptoms include nausea, lack of appetite, vomiting and fever. Not all people suffering from the disease, however, experience all these symptoms. In fact, there are people who suffer the debilitating pain without any other accompanying symptoms of appendicitis. Commonly, however, people suffer only a combination of symptoms. The full-blown symptoms of appendicitis take time to develop. In fact, it may take up to 48 hours or 2 days for you to develop signs indicating appendicitis. During this time, you may experience varying degree of pain. You may lose your appetite and you may experience bouts of vomiting. There are people who have reported diarrhea or constipation while many also reported no change in their bowel movements or habits. Treatment of Appendicitis Surgical removal of the appendix (appendectomy) as soon as possible, unless the doctor feels a mass on the outside. If mass is felt on the outside, patients are treated with IV antibiotics and fluids, and appendectomy is done when the patient is more stable. Appendicitis is an emergency that must be treated surgically. It cannot be treated at home. Call your doctor immediately if you suspect that your child has appendicitis. However do not give your child any medication to dull the pain without consulting the doctor. |
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