Appendicitis is an acute inflammation of the appendix, a small organ that is filled with lymphatic tissue and attached to the large intestine, and is considered a medical emergency. Left untreated, an inflamed appendix may perforate, or rupture, and the infected materials can be spread throughout the abdominal cavity and increase the risk of peritonitis, septicemia or mesenteric vein thrombosis. In some cases, the organ may become abscessed. An abscessed appendix is walled off with scar tissue and will not perforate, but it is still a dangerous condition with potentially deadly complications.
The condition is most common in people between 10 and 30 and does affect the elderly. It is extremely common affecting more than 10 percent of people. Symptoms can include a dull ache near the belly button. This discomfort may move to the right lower quadrant. You may lose your appetite and experience nausea and vomiting along with the pain. A low-grade fever is common, and some may experience severe cramps, discomfort in the upper or lower abdomen, an inability to pass gas, constipation or diarrhea. Because these symptoms are also common in those with gallbladder stones, UTIs, gastritis and certain other health problems, an accurate diagnosis is necessary for proper treatment in a medical facility.
If you have symptoms of appendicitis, you need immediate medical attention. Avoid using pain medications, antacids or heating pads, which can increase the risk of rupture. In the emergency room, your doctor will palpate your abdomen for signs of rebound pain and perform an ultrasound or CT scan. A rectal exam, blood test and urine test may also be performed. If your appendix is inflamed, you will need an appendectomy, which is a surgery to remove it. Antibiotics will be used to reduce your risk of peritonitis, and the procedure will be performed under general anesthesia. Many individuals are able to get up and move around within a day of the procedure and can return to their normal activities within a few weeks.
Although the cause of this common condition is unclear, those who eat a low fiber diet may be at an increased risk. Those with bowel obstructions, ischemic injuries or gastrointestinal infections that can allow bacteria to flourish inside the organ may also be at a higher risk.