WHAT IS APPENDITICIS?

Appendicitis is inflammation of the appendix. It may be acute or chronic.

Appendicitis is the most common cause of abdominal pain.

Appendicitis can happen at any time, but it occurs most often between the ages of 10 and 30. It’s more common in males than in females.

If left untreated, appendicitis may cause your appendix to burst and cause infection. This can be serious and sometimes fatal.

IS IT APPENDICITIS OR GAS?

Indigestion or other gas-related pain are common symptoms of appendicitis. In some cases, you may feel as though the gas is trapped and find that you’re unable to expel the gas.

WHAT ARE THE OTHER SYMPTOMS OF APPENDICITIS?

If you have appendicitis, you may experience one or more of the following symptoms:

• pain around the bellybutton
• lower right-side abdominal pain
• loss of appetite
• nausea
• vomiting
• diarrhea
• constipation
• inability to pass gas
• abdominal swelling
• low-grade fever
• a sense that you might feel better after passing stool

Appendicitis pain may start off as mild cramping. It often becomes more steady and severe over time. You may also feel a general pain become more targeted.

You likely won’t notice changes in your bowel habits. However, appendicitis can sometimes affect urination.

If you suspect you may have appendicitis, you should avoid taking laxatives or having an enema. These treatments may cause your appendix to burst if you’re experiencing appendicitis.

WHAT CAUSES APPENDICITIS?

In many cases, the cause for appendicitis is unknown. There can also be multiple causes for one case of appendicitis.

Obstruction in the appendix may cause appendicitis. Obstruction may be either partial or complete.

Obstruction is often due to an accumulation of fecal matter. It can also be the result of:

• enlarged lymphoid follicles
• worms
• trauma
• tumors

When there’s an obstruction in your appendix, bacteria can multiply inside the organ. This leads to the formation of pus. The increased pressure can be painful. It can also compress local blood vessels. A lack of blood flow to the appendix may cause gangrene.

If the infected appendix leaks instead of ruptures, it can form an abscess. This confines the infection to a small walled off area. However, an abscess can still be dangerous.

 

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