APPENDICITIS PROGNOSIS |
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APPENDICITIS DEFINITION - DESCRIPTION
Appendicitis is an inflammation of the
appendix, a blind ending tube attached to the part of the bowel
called the caecum.
The appendix is located on the right side of the body in the lower
part of the abdomen. Although it does not seem to perform any
particular function in the body, inflammation of the appendix,
usually caused by a blockage of impacted stool, must be treated
medically. Left untreated, the inflamed appendix can become
gangrenous and perforate causing peritonitis (a serious inflammation
of the abdomen), causing the whole abdomen to become rigid. An
operation to remove the infected appendix is called an appendectomy
and is probably one of the most common operations performed as an
emergency.
Appendicitis is most common in younger people particularly between
the ages of 8 and 14 years. It is not to be confused with a 'grumbling'
appendix, which refers to recurrent bouts of pain in the right lower
abdomen. In only a few cases is it actually due to a problem with
the appendix. |
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APPENDICITIS SYMPTOMS
The 'classical picture'
of appendicitis as seen in 50% of cases is:
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Abdominal pain. -
This usually starts in the centre of the abdomen and is
described as colicky (comes and goes in waves). Later, the pain
becomes constant and settles in the lower right part of the
abdomen where it may persist for hours. |
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Associated loss of
appetite. |
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Vomiting. |
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Tenderness in the
lower right part of the abdomen. |
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Associated fever. |
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Increased heart
rate. |
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APPENDICITIS OTHER PRESENTATIONS
The position of the
appendix may vary and therefore symptoms of appendicitis may differ
slightly from person to person. For example:
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If the appendix
lies near the back passage (rectum) there may be diarrhoea. |
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If it lies near the
bladder there may be symptoms of pain passing urine and passing
urine more often. |
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An inflamed
appendix near the fallopian tube can cause pain in the pelvis,
which may be suggestive of a gynaecological disorder. |
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If appendicitis
occurs during pregnancy, the pain is felt higher up in the
abdomen because the appendix is displaced upwards by the
enlarging womb. |
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APPENDICITIS DIAGNOSIS
Appendicitis can be
difficult to diagnose if the symptoms are atypical and if the
appendix is not in the usual position. It is also more difficult to
diagnose in the elderly and in children younger than 2 years.
Furthermore, the symptoms of appendicitis, particularly pain in the
right lower abdomen, are similar to those of other illnesses such
as:
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Urinary tract
infection |
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Gynaecological
problems |
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Mesenteric
adenitis. - (Inflammation of the lymph nodes due to a viral
infection. There may be an associated sore throat.) |
If your doctor suspects
appendicitis he or she will examine your abdomen and carry out some
tests, which may include a blood count to determine whether your
white cells are elevated, kidney blood tests and urine tests. |
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APPENDICITIS TREATMENT
Appendicitis is a medical emergency. An appendectomy must be
performed to surgically remove the inflammed appendix. This
operation is performed in hospital under general anaesthetic. It can
be done either through an incision in the right lower abdomen
leaving a small scar or through keyhole (laparoscopic) surgery.
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| APPENDICITIS RELATED ITEMS |
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