Appendicitis

It doesn't seem to serve any purpose, but every year one in 500 of us ends up in the hospital because of it. The appendix is a small portion of the large intestine or colon that hangs down on the lower right side. If it becomes infected, it can cause pain and even burst, causing other infections and even death. Over our lifetimes, we have a 7 percent chance of getting appendicitis, according to the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP). AAFP says that most appendicitis patients are between 10 and 30, and for some reason most cases occur in the winter between October and May.

Causes and symptoms

Appendicitis usually occurs if the small 3-inch long appendix's entrance to the colon becomes blocked. That could be the result of a viral infection (Read about "Microorganisms"), feces or even a tumor. The appendix becomes inflamed. That is appendicitis. The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) lists the following symptoms:

• pain in the right side of the lower abdomen, which usually begins near the navel and then moves down and to the right
• nausea
• vomiting
• constipation (Read about "Constipation")
• diarrhea (Read about "Diarrhea")
• inability to pass gas
• a low fever that begins after the other symptoms
• abdominal swelling

In addition, the lower right abdomen will be very tender. The risk of a rupture and serious complications make appendicitis an emergency. Anyone with these symptoms should see a doctor immediately. The death rate for people whose appendix hasn't ruptured is under 1 percent, according to AAFP, but climbs to 5 percent if the appendix bursts. That rate is higher for the elderly and the very young.

Tests and treatment

Diagnosing appendicitis is complicated, since the symptoms are similar to those caused by other conditions. A physical exam is used to check for tenderness, pain and rigidity. A blood test can be used to check for signs of infection. (Read about "Laboratory Testing") The doctor may also run some tests to check for other signs of infection such as a urinary tract infection. (Read about "Urinary Tract Infections") Ultrasound, laparoscopy and CT scans (Read about "Ultrasound Imaging" "Endoscopy" "CT Scan - Computerized Tomography") are being used more and more to check for an inflamed appendix according to NIDDK.

The treatment for appendicitis is surgery, called an appendectomy. The appendix can be removed using conventional open surgery. The surgery can also be done using a laparoscope. (Read about "Endoscopy") Laparoscopic appendectomy will leave a smaller scar. However, it may not be an option in all cases. It is important to remove the appendix before it potentially ruptures. If the appendix bursts, it results in what is called peritonitis, which is an infection of the abdominal cavity. It requires intensive intravenous antibiotics (Read about "Antibiotics") to stop the infection and can be life threatening.

Related Information:

    Digestive System