Digestive System


Appendix and Appendicitis


By A.A. (staff writer) , published on February 21, 2021



Medicine Telehealth Health appendix appendicitis


The appendix is a small organ or pouch-like sac of tissues present at the start of the large intestine. It is found in the lower-right abdomen known as "cecum." The vermiform appendix is the full name of the appendix. It is a worm-like appendage. 

 

What Does Your Appendix Do?

In the past, the appendix was considered useless. It was observed by the doctor that patients looked healthy after appendix removal. This perception of the appendix changed recently.  The latest research shows that your appendix plays an essential role in boosting your immune system. 

Your appendix harbors intestinal bacteria. After an infection, this promotes the recovery of your digestive. Bacteria from the appendix, help to repopulate the colon after a bout of diarrhea and provide fast recovery. It also appears to protect against Crohn's disease, a common chronic bowel disease. It is four times less likely than patients with an intact appendix will develop UC1.

 

What is Appendicitis?

When the appendix becomes blocked or obstructed this causes inflammation of the appendix and this condition is called appendicitis. Fecal matter, mucus, and parasites are built up and cause blockage of the appendix. 

Bacteria can rapidly multiply inside the appendix when there is a blockage inside the organ. This leads to swelling, and irritation of the appendix and ultimately causes appendicitis. 

The appendix is present in the lower right side of your abdomen. It is protruding from your large intestine and is narrow and tube-shaped. 

The appendix is a vestigial organ and is a part of your gastrointestinal tract. In the past, it was thought that it does not perform any important function and people can live normal lives without an appendix. 

 

Symptoms

The following are the signs and symptoms of appendicitis. 

  • Pain sensation that initiates on the right side of the lower abdomen. 
  • Unexpected pain that starts around your navel and often shifts to your lower right abdomen. 
  • Intensifying pain during walking, coughing, and other jarring movements. 
  • Loss of appetite 
  • Nausea and vomiting 
  • Worsening of low-grade fever as the illness progresses
  • Flatulence 
  • Diarrhea or constipation 
  • Bloating 

Depending on the position of your appendix and your age the location of pain may vary. The appendix is at a higher position during pregnancy that's why during pregnancy the pain of the appendix may originate or come from the upper abdomen2

 

Causes of appendicitis 

The major cause of appendicitis is the blockage in the lining of the appendix that increases the chances of infection. The rapid spread or multiplication of bacteria leads to swelling, inflammation. It is also filled with pus. The appendix can rupture if not treated at a proper time. 

 

Complications of appendicitis 

The following are the complications caused by appendicitis. 

  A ruptured appendix

The infection can be spread throughout your abdomen due to the rupturing of the appendix. This condition is serious and requires immediate cleaning of the abdominal cavity and surgery for the removal of the appendix. 

A pocket of pus that forms in the abdomen

A pocket of infection (abscess) may develop due to the bursting of the appendix. In the majority of cases, a surgeon cleans the abscess by inserting a tube through the abdominal wall into the abscess. For around two weeks, the tube is left in place, and you need to take antibiotics to clean up the infection.

When the infection is clear, surgery is performed to remove the appendix. In some cases, after draining the abscess, the appendix is removed immediately3

 

Treatment for Appendicitis

Most often, appendicitis is handled as an emergency. The standard treatment for almost all cases of appendicitis is surgery to remove the appendix, which is called an appendectomy.

Generally, if the doctor believes you have appendicitis, he or she can remove it immediately to prevent a burst. You will have two treatments if you have an abscess: one to clear the pus and fluid abscess, and one to remove the appendix later on. Yet some evidence suggests that taking antibiotics for treating acute appendicitis helps you to avoid surgery4

Your doctor recommends a treatment plan for appendicitis according to your condition, this may include the following. 

  • Using needle or surgery to drain an abscess 
  • Surgical removal of the appendix
  • Antibiotics and painkillers 
  • IV fluids
  • Liquid diet

In some cases, appendicitis may get better without performing surgery. However, in the majority of cases, surgery is necessary to remove your appendix, this procedure is called an appendectomy. 

Before performing surgery, your doctor first ruptures the appendix with an abscess. They initiate the use of antibiotics. To drain the abscess of pus they use a needle. 

 

Depending on the severity, your doctor may perform surgery that may include.

Open appendectomy

Only one incision is made in the lower right side of the abdomen to remove the appendix and stitches to close the wound. 

Laparoscopic appendectomy

A few small incisions are made in your abdomen by your surgeon. The inside of the abdomen is observed by inserting a laparoscope into the incisions. After removing the appendix, the surgeon cleans and close the small incisions. 

After surgery

A hospital stay is a must after appendix surgery until your pain is under control. Or if an abscess develops then you have to take antibiotics. After surgery, the aim is to achieve full recovery with less complications5

 

References

  1. Appendicitis: Symptoms, Signs, Causes, Appendectomy in Detail. [internet]. [cited 2021 January 05]; Available from  https://www.onhealth.com/content/1/appendicitis_appendectomy
  2. Emergency Signs and Symptoms of Appendicitis. [internet]. [cited 2021 January 05]; Available from  https://www.healthline.com/health/digestive-health/appendicitis-emergency-symptoms#2
  3. Appendicitis. [internet]. [cited 2021 January 05]; Available from  https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/appendicitis/symptoms-causes/syc-20369543#:~:text=The%20appendix%20is%20a%20narrow,right%20side%20of%20your%20abdomen.
  4. Appendicitis. [internet]. [cited 2021 January 05]; Available from  https://www.webmd.com/digestive-disorders/digestive-diseases-appendicitis#2
  5. Everything You Need to Know About Appendicitis. [internet]. [cited 2021 January 05]; Available from  https://www.healthline.com/health/appendicitis#surgery

 




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