Appendicitis: Symptoms, causes, diagnosis and treatment

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Appendicitis
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Appendicitis

• Appendix is a small, sac-like structure that is
  found attached to the right side of the colon or
  the large intestine. Its actual name is vermiform
  appendix, which means worm-like appendage. The
  exact function of the appendix is not known,
  however, its removal has not been found to cause
  any problem. A small amount of mucus is produced
  by the inner lining of the appendix, which
  empties into the large intestine. Appendicitis is
  caused by the inflammation of the appendix. 

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What are the causes of appendicitis? 

• The vermiform appendix can get inflamed due to
  several factors, like the blockage of the
  appendix, development of ulcers, and bacterial
  infections. Sometimes, food or wastes (faeces)
  can enter the appendix and block it. Even
  swelling of the lymphatic tissues present on the
  wall of the appendix can cause a blockage. The
  blockage creates a favourable condition for
  bacterial growth leading to an infection and the
  consequent inflammation. Apart from bacteria,
  fungi, viruses, and parasites can also be
  responsible for causing infections. An infection
  causes the appendix to inflame and get filled up
  with pus. Sometimes, inflammatory bowel diseases
  like Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis may
  be associated with an inflammation of the
  appendix.

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Symptoms

• The most common symptom of this condition is
  abdominal pain, which can be initially felt in
  the middle of the abdomen and then in the right
  lower abdomen. It can produce some other symptoms
  like loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, and
  fever. Sometimes, the affected individual can
  also experience constipation and diarrhoea.

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Treatments

• Appendicitis is diagnosed by evaluating the
  medical history of the patient, along with
  physical examination. The physician usually looks
  for tenderness in the right lower abdomen by
  gently pushing the area. If the infection spreads
  to the peritoneum, it can cause rebound
  tenderness. Rebound tenderness refers to the pain
  felt when the doctor releases his hand after
  pushing the abdomen. In addition to these, a
  patient can have a high-grade fever. A blood
  test is also carried out to find out the count of
  white blood cells, as any kind of infection can
  increase the number of white blood cells in the
  body. Sometimes, other tests like CT
  scan, abdominal X-ray, urinalysis,
  and ultrasound can be required for a confirmed
  diagnosis. 

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Treatments
Continue

• The treatment of this condition usually involves
  the surgical removal of the appendix from the
  body. If the appendix ruptures, the
  infection-causing bacteria and waste material can
  spread to other parts of the body. This can cause
  an infection in the abdomen or the peritoneum.
  The appendix can be removed by an open
  or laparoscopic surgery. In laparoscopy, a few
  small incisions are made in the abdomen to insert
  the laparoscope. The video camera present in the
  laparoscope gives a magnified image of the inside
  of the abdomen to carry out the surgery. For
  removing the appendix, some tiny surgical
  instruments are inserted through the incisions.
  The main advantage of this surgery is that it can
  ensure faster recovery and healing than open
  surgery. But, if the appendix ruptures, then open
  surgery can be required to treat the condition.
  In open surgery, a large abdominal incision is
  made to remove the appendix.

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