Description of Appendicitis
The vermiform appendix is a blind-ended tube, about 9 or 10 cm long, projecting from the caecum (a pouch), which is the first part of the large intestine. Appendicitis is inflammation of the vermiform appendix, which, in its acute form, is the most common abdominal emergency in the western world.
Persons most commonly affected by Appendicitis - all age groups and both sexes, but it is rare in young children under the age of two. It is most common in young people up to the age of 25.
Organ or part of body involved in Appendicitis - vermiform appendix.
Symptoms and indications of Appendicitis
The symptoms of Appendicitis include abdominal pain that often begins over the navel and then moves to low on the right ileac fossa, with pronounced local tenderness. The pain is severe and worse with movement e.g. coughing or deep breathing, etc. Also, there may be nausea and vomiting, diarrhoea, loss of appetite and fever. Eventually, there is abdominal swelling and tenderness. A person with symptoms of appendicitis should seek immediate medical attention, as it is an emergency condition.
Treatment of Appendicitis
usually appendicitis occurs in the acute form, requiring hospital treatment or appendicectomy - the surgical removal of the appendix. The condition is normally completely cured with prompt surgery but is dangerous if left untreated.
Causes and risk factors of Appendicitis
blockage and subsequent infection of the appendix are the causes of appendicitis, which can occur at any time. Danger arises if the condition is left untreated or misdiagnosed. In this instance, the appendix may become the site of an abscess or may become gangrenous and rupture, causing PERITONITIS. This arises because infected material from the burst appendix spreads into the peritoneal cavity, and it is often fatal. Rupture of the appendix is more likely to occur in older patients.
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