Symptoms & Causes of Appendicitis

May 17, 2023, 16:45 IST

The large intestine begins at the cecum, where a tiny tube-like structure called Appendix is attached. This Appendix has an inner lining of biofilm, which contains lymph nodes and promotes the growth of healthy microbiota. These microbes help break down complex nutrients, fight harmful microbes, and protect the body from Gastrointestinal infections. In this article, we will discuss Appendicitis which involves acute inflammation of the Appendix, its causes, symptoms, and possible treatments in detail.

Appendicitis Definition

The word appendix derived from appendages refers to a finger-like extension of the cecum of the large intestine. When this region gets swollen due to infection, or accumulation of waste food materials, then the condition is termed Appendicitis. The root word is ‘Appendix’, which refers to the region in the large intestine, and the suffix is ‘itis’, which refers to a diseased condition.

People belonging to the age group of 10-30 are most prone to developing the condition with the disease affecting more men than women. Nearly 1 in every 1000 Individuals suffer from appendicitis during their teenage or early adulthood phase in the United States. The condition is curable if detected in the early stage but may progress to a state of more severe septic infection if left untreated. The incidence of death due to severe septic shock is 1%( 1 in 100 individuals).

Causes

The condition usually develops due to a combination of multiple factors but primarily involves swelling of the appendix region. Some of these causes include-

• Gastrointestinal infection resulting from eating contaminated food.
• Weak immune and lymphatic systems.
• Direct injury to the appendix due to shock or trauma.
• Genetic predisposition.
• Blockage of the appendix due to accumulation of waste material.

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Symptoms

Inflammation of the Appendix causes enlargement of the tissues in the region which results in sharp pain in the right side of the abdomen where the appendix is located. This pain gradually increases in intensity as the infection grows and may lead to the bursting of the pouch causing severe pain and discomfort. Some of the common symptoms include

• Severe pain and discomfort in one side of the abdomen.
• Loss of appetite due to clogging of the gastrointestinal tract.
• Feeling of Nausea and vomiting.
• Difficulty in passing stool.
• Fever in case of severe infection.

The pain and infection are usually limited to the abdominal region in case of acute appendicitis but if severe sepsis develops, then the person may experience chills, high fever, fluctuations in blood pressure, and heartbeat. Early diagnosis and treatment are necessary to prevent death due to septic shock.

Diagnosis

The condition is often categorized by a sudden intense sharp pain in the lower right region of the abdomen but an endoscopy is required to confirm the diagnosis. An enlarged Appendix showing tissue inflammation will indicate that the person is suffering from Acute appendicitis and the size can be used to estimate the severity of the condition.

Treatment

The following course of action is followed in case of a positive diagnosis

• First the patient is treated with antibiotics to prevent the infection from spreading further.
• Painkillers may be given to help reduce pain and discomfort.
• Laparoscopic surgery is used to remove the infected appendix from the body.

The appendix is generally considered vestigial(non-functional) and its removal does not cause any permanent damage to the system. The immune system may be compromised during the initial period after the surgery but soon the body returns to its normal homeostatic state.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1. Which region of the body is affected by Appendicitis?

Ans. Pain and discomfort are usually localized to the lower right region of the abdomen though in some severe cases, the patient may experience pain in the entire abdomen and chest region also.

Q2. Is appendicitis curable?

Ans. Although antibiotic therapy may help remove the infection and cure the appendix, surgical removal is preferred because the part does not have a major role in body functions and removal reduces the risk of relapse.

Q3. Can a person live without an Appendix?

Ans. Yes, a person can survive normally without the appendix because it is generally considered a vestigial organ and does not have many contributions to nutrient digestion.

Q4. What is the best treatment for Appendicitis?

Ans. Laparoscopic surgery to remove the infected Appendix is still considered the best possible treatment because it reduces the risk of septic shock or recurrence of the condition in the future.