Introduction
Appendicitis is a painful swelling of
the appendix. The appendix is a small, thin pouch about 5-10cm (2-4 inches)
long. It's connected to the large intestine, where stools (faeces) are formed.
Nobody knows exactly why we have an
appendix, but removing it isn't harmful.
Appendicitis typically starts with a
pain in the middle of your tummy (abdomen) that may come and go.
Within hours, the pain travels to the
lower right-hand side, where the appendix usually lies, and becomes constant
and severe.
Pressing on this area, coughing, or
walking may all make the pain worse. You may lose your appetite, feel sick, and
occasionally experience diarrhea.
How appendicitis is
treated
In most cases of appendicitis, the
appendix needs to be surgically removed as soon as possible.
Removal of the appendix, known as an
appendectomy or appendicectomy, is one of the most common operations in the UK
and its success rate is excellent.
The operation is most commonly
performed as keyhole surgery (laparoscopy), which involves making
several small cuts in your abdomen, through which special surgical instruments
are inserted.
Open surgery, where a larger, single
cut is made in the abdomen, is usually carried out if the appendix has burst or
access is more difficult.
Most people make a full recovery from
an appendectomy in a couple of weeks, although strenuous activities may need to
be avoided for up to six weeks after open surgery.
What causes appendicitis?
It's not exactly clear what the
causes of appendicitis are. Most cases are thought to occur when
something blocks the entrance of the appendix.
For example, a blockage may be formed
by a small piece of faeces or an upper respiratory tract infection could
lead to a swollen lymph node within the wall of the bowel.
This obstruction
leads to the development of inflammation and swelling. The pressure caused by
the swelling can then lead to the appendix bursting.
As the causes aren't fully understood, there's no guaranteed way of
preventing appendicitis.
Who's affected?
Appendicitis is a common condition. Around 40,000 people are admitted to
hospital with appendicitis each year in England.
It's estimated around 1 in every 13 people develop it at some point
in their life.
Appendicitis can develop at any age, but it's most common in young
people aged from 10 to 20 years old.
Symptoms of appendicitis
Appendicitis typically starts with a pain in the middle of your tummy
(abdomen) that may come and go.
Within hours, the pain travels to your lower right-hand side, where the
appendix is usually located, and becomes constant and severe.
Pressing on this area, coughing, or walking may all make the pain worse.
If you have appendicitis, you may also have other symptoms, including:
- feeling
sick (nausea)
- being
sick
- loss of
appetite
- diarrhea
- a high
temperature (fever) and a flushed face