Appendicitis

Appendicitis is an inflammation of the appendix which is a tube like pouch that projects from the colon on the lower right side of your abdomen. The appendix doesn’t seem to have a specific function in the body. Appendicitis causes pain in your lower right abdomen. To start , the pain usually starts in the centre of abdomen and then localises in the right lower abdomen. Appendicitis pain typically increases and eventually becomes severe. Although anyone can develop appendicitis, most often it occurs in people between the ages of 10 and 35.

Standard treatment is surgical removal of the appendix, either by the open or the Laparoscopic technique.

Signs and symptoms of appendicitis may include:

• Sudden pain that begins on the right side of the lower abdomen
• Sudden pain that begins around your navel and often shifts to your lower right abdomen
• Pain that worsens if you cough, walk or make other jarring movements
• Nausea and vomiting
• Loss of appetite
• Low-grade fever that may worsen as the illness progresses
• Constipation or diarrhea
• Abdominal bloating

Cause

A blockage in the lining of the appendix that results in infection is the likely cause of appendicitis. The bacteria multiply rapidly, causing the appendix to become inflamed, swollen and filled with pus. If not treated promptly, the appendix can rupture.

Serious complications are associated with appendicitis, such as:

• A ruptured appendix. A rupture spreads infection throughout your abdomen (peritonitis). It is a life-threatening condition.
• A pocket of pus that forms in the abdomen. If your appendix bursts, you may develop a pocket of infection (abscess).
• If earlier episodes have been treated with medication , then , you may get an episode of Appendicitis again and again.

What to do in case of pain abdomen and you suspect Appendicitis?

• Visit your surgeon / GP
• The surgeon will do the following to ascertain the cause of pain:
• Physical exam: By the surgeon pins the diagnosis . Usually he will also ask other tests to confirm his suspicion.
• Other tests:
• Blood test. This allows your doctor to check for a high white blood cell count, which may indicate an infection.
• Urine test:Your doctor may order a urinalysis to make sure that a urinary tract infection or a kidney stone isn’t causing your pain.
• Radiology tests: Your doctor may also recommend an abdominal X-ray, an abdominal ultrasound or a computerized tomography (CT) scan to help confirm appendicitis or find other causes for your pain.Treatments and drugs