Appendicitis - Symptoms, Risks, Complications and Outcomes

Appendicitis can affect anyone of any age. It is rare in a child under the age of two and the incidence peaks between teenage years and the mid twenties. Appendicitis is an inflammation of the vermiform appendix. That is a small intestinal pouch that extends off of the cecum, which is the first part of the large intestines. The appendix has no known function and yet it can become infected. Removing the appendix has no apparent side effects or life altering changes. Appendicitis affects approximately one in five hundred people each year.

Symptoms can vary from person to person. Anyone that has extreme abdominal pain should consider appendicitis. It is curable with surgery but if left untreated, it can rupture. A ruptured appendix can be fatal. Many with appendicitis will have a fever. This usually happens after other symptoms appear but many will just ignore stomach pain unless other symptoms are present. Sometimes nausea and vomiting as well as diarrhea are the first symptoms to appear. Some people have constipation with the inability to pass gas as well. The stomach pain begins close to the navel and later migrates towards the right lower quadrant of the abdomen. The pain will eventually become persistent and hard to ignore. It can become worse with movement or when touched. Sometimes the pain can increase just by breathing or walking. In the later stages of development, the abdomen may swell way beyond what is normal. If blood tests are done, you will see that white blood cell counts are elevated.

The cause of appendicitis is usually bacteria from the intestinal tract or that the appendix may become obstructed from contents moving through the intestinal tract. When it becomes infected, it become swollen and inflamed. The risk of appendicitis increases with recent illness such as gastroenteritis or a roundworm infestation. There is no way to prevent appendicitis from attacking. It is one of those things that just happen, if it is going to. If you suspect that you have appendicitis, you should not take any laxatives or enemas. Taking laxatives may induce a rupture, which is what you are trying to avoid. Surgery is the only way to correct the problem. The surgery for appendicitis is very routine and common.

The surgery for this is called an appendectomy. This is when they remove the appendix, hopefully before it ruptures. General anesthesia is used for your comfort during surgery. The surgery is done by making an incision in the lower part of the abdomen. The abdominal muscles are separated and the appendix is cut off of the intestine. The surgeon will then close up the intestine, cauterize it and sterilize it to prevent any further infection. The surgeon will then close up the abdominal incision. Some possible complications can include: wound infection, bowel obstruction, an injury to the ureter and excessive bleeding. These are only possible complications. As with any surgical procedure, there is always a risk of complications, but not all patients will have any complications.

After surgery, you will have to take it easy for about two to three weeks. The physician may prescribe antibiotics and pain medication as well as stool softeners to prevent constipation. You are usually able to resume normal activities fairly quickly, as long as you feel up to it. Exercise should not be done for about six weeks following surgery. A clear diet is recommended until the gastrointestinal tract is fully functioning again. Then a soft diet is recommended. A well balanced, healthy diet is the best way to promote health and healing.