What is the Cause of Appendicitis?

Understanding the causes, symptoms, and treatment methodsAppendixGet to know

The appendix is a tube located in the right part of the body near the large intestine. Its function has so far been unknown; however, theories suggest it may serve as a reservoir for beneficial bacteria and potentially help restart the digestive system after illnesses like diarrhea. In other words, it may play a role in immune defense. In this article, we will discuss the causes and factors that lead to appendicitis.diarrheaWe will explore the reasons and contributing factors for appendicitis.

What is appendicitis and why does it become infected?

Appendicitis is an emergency condition that requires immediate surgery to remove the appendix. If not treated, the appendix may burst or rupture, allowing infectious materials to enter the abdominal cavity, leading to peritonitis or severe inflammation of the abdominal cavity (peritonitis). If not treated with antibiotics,…strong antibioticsit can be fatal.

Sometimes, a gangrenous abscess (localized infections in the walls that are silent against other parts of the body) manifests as inflamed appendicitis. The scar tissues of the appendix prevent the spread of infection to other parts of the abdomen. Appendiceal abscesses are less urgent than inflamed appendicitis. Unfortunately, until surgery is performed, this cannot be diagnosed. Therefore, all cases of appendicitis are considered emergency situations, and surgery is conducted in every case.
In the United States, 1 in every 15 people develops appendicitis. It is rare in children under 2 years old and more common between 10 and 30 years old. However, this condition can occur at any age.

What factors cause appendicitis?

The causes of appendicitis are not always clear. Sometimes, appendicitis can be caused by one of the following factors:

Obstruction:

The causes of appendicitis can include leftover food debrisor a hard stool piece (stone-like feces), which can block the opening of your appendix.Infection:

The causes of appendicitis may also follow infections such as a viral gastrointestinal infection or result from other types of inflammation.

In both cases, bacteria inside the appendix multiply rapidly, causing inflammation, swelling, and pus accumulation. If not treated promptly, appendicitis may rupture.

What are the symptoms of appendicitis?

Classic symptoms of appendicitis include:

Vague pains in the upper abdomen or near the navel that radiate to the right and lower abdomen. This is usually the first sign.

Loss of appetite
Nausea or vomiting that occurs immediately after abdominal pain.
Abdominal swelling
Fever ranging from 37.2°C to 38.8°C
Inability to pass gas
Causes, treatment, and diagnosis of appendicitis

Appendicitis can lead to serious complications such as:

In about half of the cases of appendicitis, the following symptoms occur:

Vague or severe pain in all upper and lower parts of the abdomen, back, and rectum

Painful urination
Vomiting that occurs before abdominal pain
Severe muscle cramps
Constipation or diarrhea accompanied by gas
If you notice any of these symptoms, seek medical attention immediately. Early diagnosis and treatment are very important. Do not eat or drink anything, and avoid any painkillers, antacids, laxatives, or heating pads, as they can cause the inflamed appendix to rupture.

How is appendicitis diagnosed?

Diagnosing appendicitis can be confusing. The symptoms often mimic other conditions like gallbladder issues, bladder or urinary tract infections, Crohn’s disease, gastritis, intestinal infections, or ovarian problems.

The following tests are usually used to diagnose appendicitis:
Abdominal examination to check for inflammation

Urinalysis to rule out urinary infections
Rectal examination
Blood tests to check for signs of infection fighting in the body
CT scan or
ultrasoundare used to confirm the presence of appendicitis or infection.

Who is at risk of developing appendicitis?

Anyone can get this disease. However, according to research, it is most common in people aged 10-30. Early diagnosis and treatment are especially important for children and older adults in vulnerable communities. This disease is less common in people who eat high-fiber foods like vegetables and fruits.

How is appendicitis treated?

Doctors usually prescribe antibiotics before removing the appendix to fight any possible peritonitis.Appendectomy, which involves surgical removal of the appendix, is the standard treatment for appendicitis. Even if doctors suspect appendicitis, they prefer to perform surgery to be safe and prevent rupture. In cases where an abscess forms, the surgery occurs in two stages: first, draining the abscess, then removing the appendix either through a 10.16 cm incision or laparoscopically. The laparoscopic method involves smaller cuts and faster recovery.What to expect after an appendectomy?

After surgery, you can stand up from bed within 12 hours and will be able to move. It usually takes 2 to 3 weeks to return to normal activities. If laparoscopic surgery is performed, recovery is faster, with smaller cuts.

If you experience any of the following after the surgery, contact your doctor:

Uncontrolled vomiting
Increased abdominal pain
Dizziness and weakness
Blood in vomit or urine
Increased pain and redness at the surgical site
Fever
Pus formation in the wound

Rupture causes infection to spread in the abdomen. This is life-threatening. Emergency surgery should be done immediately to remove the appendix.

Can appendicitis be prevented?

There is no sure way to prevent appendicitis, but a diet high in fiber, like vegetables and fruits, may lower the risk of developing it.

Who is at risk of developing appendicitis?

Anyone can develop this disease, but it is most common in people aged 10-30. Children and the elderly are more vulnerable, making early diagnosis and treatment critical in these groups, especially in susceptible communities.

What problems can appendicitis cause?

Delayed treatment increases the risk of complications. One serious problem is rupture, which can cause pus to accumulate around the appendix or spread infection throughout the abdomen and pelvis. Immediate surgery is essential upon diagnosis. The time between diagnosis and treatment is very important; the risk of rupture increases with delay. For example, the probability of rupture after 36 hours from initial symptoms is about 15%.

What other complications can appendicitis lead to?

Sometimes, swelling accompanies appendicitis, interfering with intestinal muscle function and blocking stool passage. Vomiting and abdominal distension may occur when gases and fluids in the intestines get obstructed. In such cases, an abdominal tube (a tube connected from the nose to the stomach and intestines) is necessary to drain fluids, but refusal may be advised.

Post-surgery care for appendicitis

Adequate rest
Daily walking
Avoid heavy lifting and carrying objects for 2 weeks
Avoid strenuous activities such as weightlifting and aerobics
Post-appendicitis surgery care

If rupture happens, the surgeon will drain the infection through a tube inserted via the abdominal wall. The tube stays in for two weeks, antibiotics are given, and then the appendix is removed surgically either by open or laparoscopic methods. Laparoscopy involves smaller cuts and faster healing.

Causes, symptoms, and treatment options for appendicitis

The appendix is a small sac whose function is still unknown. However, some hypotheses suggest it stores beneficial bacteria and plays a role in restarting the digestive system after illnesses like diarrhea. Appendicitis occurs in the lower right side of the abdomen, next to the large intestine. Its inflammation causes pain around the navel, which quickly spreads to the right side of the abdomen. The severity of the inflammation correlates with pain intensity. Although appendicitis can occur at any age, it is most common in people between 10 and 30 years old. The usual treatment is surgery to remove the appendix.

Symptoms

Signs of appendicitis in an individual may include:

Sudden pain in the lower right abdomen
Change in the shape of the right side of the abdomen
Increased pain whencoughingor walking
Loss of appetite
Mild fever that may gradually become more severe
Constipation or diarrhea
Abdominal bloating
Painful urination
Vomiting before abdominal pain appears
Severe muscle cramps

Symptoms’ location may vary depending on age and the condition of the appendix. During pregnancy, the pain might occur in the upper abdomen.When should you see a doctor?If any of these symptoms are present, seek medical care immediately. Severe abdominal pain also requires prompt treatment. Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial in preventing complications. Do not eat or drink, and avoid any pain medications, antacids, laxatives, or heating pads, as these can cause a ruptured appendix.

Causes

Infection

The likely cause of appendicitis is obstruction due to infection in the upper layers of the appendix. Bacteria inside the appendix rapidly grow and multiply under these conditions, causing inflammation, swelling, and pus formation, which requires immediate treatment. If untreated, rupture is likely. The causes may also include viral gastrointestinal infections or other inflammations.

Obstruction:

The causes may be residual food particles or a hard piece of stool (a stone-like feces), which blocks the opening of the appendix.

Complications

Appendicitis can cause serious complications such as:

Rupture of the appendix:

Rupture allows infection to spread in the abdomen, which can be life-threatening. To prevent this, emergency surgery to remove the appendix should be performed promptly.

Pus collection:

If rupture occurs, the surgeon will drain the infection by inserting a tube through the abdominal wall. The tube remains in place for two weeks, antibiotics are given, and then the appendix is surgically removed either via open or laparoscopic methods. Laparoscopy involves smaller cuts and faster recovery.

Diagnosis

To diagnose appendicitis, the doctor will examine symptoms and perform a physical abdominal check.

To diagnose appendicitis, the doctor will review symptoms and examine the abdomen.

Tests and procedures used include:

Physical examination to assess pain:

In this exam, the doctor gently presses on the painful area, and pain may worsen when the pressure is suddenly released, indicating inflammation. The doctor may also check for muscle stiffness in the abdomen.

In some cases, the doctor will examine the lower rectum using gloves and lubricant because issues related to women’s reproductive health can cause pain in this area.

Blood tests:

As mentioned in the health section of SelMagz, this test checks white blood cell count to detect infection.

Urinalysis:

This test confirms whether the abdominal pain is caused by a urinary tract infection or kidney stones, helping to rule out other causes.Imaging tests:Radiography, ultrasound, MRI, or

CT scans are performed to verify the presence of appendiceal infection or inflammation.

Who is at risk of developing appendicitis?Anyone can develop this disease. However, studies show that people aged 10-30 are most commonly affected. Early diagnosis and treatment are especially important for children and older adults in vulnerable populations. The disease is less common in people with high-fiber diets rich in vegetables and fruits.Treatment of appendicitis

Before removing the appendix, doctors usually prescribe antibiotics to fight possible peritonitis.

Appendectomy, the surgical removal of the appendix, is the standard treatment. Even if suspecting appendicitis, surgeons prefer to operate to ensure safety and prevent rupture. In cases of abscess, surgery occurs in two steps: first, draining the pus and infection, then removing the appendix via an incision of about 10.16 cm or laparoscopically. Laparoscopy involves smaller cuts and quicker recovery.What to expect after surgery?Within 12 hours after surgery, you can get up from bed and become mobile. It usually takes 2 to 3 weeks to resume normal activities.

If you notice any of the following symptoms after surgery, contact your doctor:

Increased abdominal pain

Uncontrolled vomiting

Blood in vomit or urine

Dizziness and weakness