Appendicitis is an inflammation of the appendix, a finger-shaped pouch
that projects from your colon on the lower right side of your abdomen.
Appendicitis causes pain in your lower right abdomen. However, in most
people, pain begins around the navel and then moves. As inflammation
worsens, appendicitis pain typically increases and eventually becomes
severe.
Although anyone can develop appendicitis, most often it occurs in
people between the ages of 10 and 30. Standard treatment is surgical
removal of the appendix.
Symptoms
Signs and symptoms of appendicitis may include: Sudden pain that
begins on the right side of the lower abdomen.
Sudden pain that begins around your navel and often shifts to the
lower right abdomen.
Pain that worsens during cough, walk or make other jarring movements
Others are nausea and vomiting, loss of appetite, low-grade fever that
may worsen as the illness progresses, constipation or diarrhea,
abdominal bloating, flatulence.
The site of the pain may vary, depending on age and the position of
one’s appendix. During pregnant, the pain may seem to come from the
upper abdomen because the appendix is higher during pregnancy.
When to see a doctor
Make an appointment with a doctor if you have worrisome signs or
symptoms. Severe abdominal pain requires immediate medical attention.
Causes
A blockage in the lining of the appendix that results in infection is
the likely cause of appendicitis. The bacteria multiply rapidly,
causing the appendix to become inflamed, swollen and filled with pus.
If not treated promptly, the appendix can rupture.
Complications
Appendicitis can cause serious complications, such as: A ruptured
appendix. A rupture spreads infection throughout your abdomen
(peritonitis). Possibly life-threatening, this condition requires
immediate surgery to remove the appendix and clean your abdominal
cavity.
A pocket of pus that forms in the abdomen. If your appendix bursts,
you may develop a pocket of infection (abscess). In most cases, a
surgeon drains the abscess by placing a tube through your abdominal
wall into the abscess. The tube is left in place for about two weeks,
and you’re given antibiotics to clear the infection.
Once the infection is clear, you’ll have surgery to remove the
appendix. In some cases, the abscess is drained, and the appendix is
removed immediately.
