What is the appendix?
The appendix is a small, finger-shaped pouch attached to the large intestine, located in the lower right side of your abdomen. Appendicitis happens when the appendix becomes inflamed and infected. It is a common condition that usually requires urgent treatment.
What causes appendicitis?
Appendicitis can affect anybody, but it commonly occurs in individuals between 10 and 30 years old. The cause of appendicitis is not always obvious. Appendicitis can develop because of an obstruction when a hard piece of stool blocks the opening of the appendix. Appendicitis may also follow an intestinal infection or result from some other types of inflammation. The number of germs within the cavity of the appendix grows rapidly causing the appendix to be swollen, inflamed and filled with pus.
What are the symptoms?
Typical symptoms include:
- Pain that starts near the navel or upper abdomen and then moves to the lower right abdomen
- Pain that gets worse over time
- Tenderness when pressing the lower right abdomen
Other symptoms may include:
- Mild fever
- Nausea or vomiting
- Loss of appetite
- Constipation or diarrhoea
👉 Seek medical help immediately if if you or your child experiences the above signs and symptoms that make you worry. If the tummy pain is so severe that you cannot sit or lie still, immediate medical attention is required.
Why is early diagnosis important?
If untreated, the appendix can burst (rupture), leading to:
- Peritonitis (serious infection of the abdomen)
- Abscess (collection of pus)
These complications can be life-threatening.
How is appendicitis diagnosed?
In most patients the diagnosis of appendicitis is straightforward but the signs and symptoms do not always follow a simple pattern. Other conditions may present with similar signs and symptoms. Hence, the diagnosis is based on clinical judgement. There are dangers associated with a missed diagnosis of appendicitis. Appendicitis can cause serious complications. If the appendix gives way, pus and infected material will leak into the whole abdomen causing an infection of the abdominal cavity known as peritonitis, a life-threatening infection. If the appendix ruptures but the pus is contained in a pocket, an abscess or collection of pus develops.
Appendicitis may be confirmed by physical examination by your doctor. Blood test that checks for a possible increased white blood cell count may indicate an infection. A urine test may be ordered to check whether urinary infection or kidney stones are the cause of the pain. An abdominal x-ray or CT scan may be recommended to help confirm the diagnosis of appendicitis or to look for other causes of pain.
What is the treatment?
Appendicitis treatment requires surgery to remove the offending appendix, an appendicectomy. Other treatment may be needed depending on your situation. Appendix surgery may be performed as open surgery or as laparoscopic (keyhole) surgery. Your surgeon will advise you which procedure is most suitable for your condition. In general, keyhole surgery allows faster recovery and causes less scarring. Expect to spend one to two days in the hospital after surgery for appendicitis.
During surgery, your surgeon will also thoroughly check the other abdominal organs. Sometimes another diagnosis is discovered during surgery and another appropriate procedure may be required. The appendix serves no useful function and there are no long-term consequences to its removal.