Appendicitis

Appendicitis is an inflammation of the appendix, a 3 1/2-inch-long tube of tissue that extends from the large intestine. No one is absolutely certain what the function of the appendix is. One thing we do know: We can live without it, without apparent consequences. Appendicitis is a medical emergency that requires prompt surgery to remove the appendix. Left untreated, an inflamed appendix will eventually burst, or perforate, spilling infectious materials into the abdominal cavity. This can lead to peritonitis, a serious inflammation of the abdominal cavity's lining (the peritoneum) that can be fatal unless it is treated quickly with strong antibiotics.

Sometimes a pus-filled abscess (infection that is walled off from the rest of the body) forms outside the inflamed appendix. Scar tissue then "walls off" the appendix from the rest of the abdomen, preventing infection from spreading. An abscessed appendix is a less urgent situation, but unfortunately, it can't be identified without surgery. For this reason, all cases of appendicitis are treated as emergencies, requiring surgery. In the U.S., 1 in 15 people will get appendicitis. Although it can strike at any age, appendicitis is rare under age 2 and most common between ages 10 and 30. What Causes Appendicitis? Appendicitis occurs when the appendix becomes blocked, often by stool, a foreign body, or cancer. Blockage may also occur from infection, since the appendix swells in response to any infection in the body. What Are the Symptoms of Appendicitis? The classic symptoms of appendicitis include: Dull pain near the navel or the upper abdomen that becomes sharp as it moves to the lower right abdomen. This is usually the first sign. Loss of appetite Nausea and/or vomiting soon after abdominal pain begins Abdominal swelling Fever of 99 F to 102 F Inability to pass gas Almost half the time, other symptoms of appendicitis appear, including:

Dull or sharp pain anywhere in the upper or lower abdomen, back, or rectum Painful urination Vomiting that precedes the abdominal pain Severe cramps Constipation or diarrhea with gas Call your doctor if:

You have pain that matches these symptoms. Do not eat, drink, or use any pain remedies, antacids, laxatives, or heating pads, which can cause an inflamed appendix to rupture. If you have any of the mentioned symptoms seek medical attention immediately since timely diagnosis and treatment is very important. If you have any of the mentioned symptoms, seek medical attention immediately since timely diagnosis and treatment is very important. 1|2
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Appendicitis
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How Is Appendicitis Diagnosed? Diagnosing appendicitis can be tricky. Symptoms of appendicitis are frequently vague or extremely similar to other ailments, including gallbladder problems, bladder or urinary tract infection, Crohn's disease, gastritis, intestinal infection, and ovary problems. The following tests are usually used to make the diagnosis. Abdominal exam to detect inflammation Urine test to rule out a urinary tract infection Rectal exam Blood test to see if your body is fighting infection CT scans and/or ultrasound How Is Appendicitis Treated? Surgery to remove the appendix, which is called an appendectomy, is the standard treatment for appendicitis. If appendicitis is even suspected, doctors tend to err on the side of safety and quickly remove the appendix to avoid its rupture. If the appendix has formed an abscess, you may have two procedures: one to drain the abscess of pus and fluid, and a later one to remove the appendix. Antibiotics are given before an appendectomy to fight possible peritonitis. General anesthesia is usually given, and the appendix is removed through a 4-inch incision or by laparoscopy. If you have peritonitis, the abdomen is also irrigated and drained of pus. Within 12 hours of surgery you may get up and move around. You can usually return to normal activities in 2 to 3 weeks. If surgery is done with a laparoscope (a thin telescope-like instrument for viewing inside the abdomen), the incision is smaller and recovery is faster. After an appendectomy, call your doctor if you have: Uncontrolled vomiting. Increased pain in your abdomen. Dizziness/feelings of faintness. Blood in your vomit or urine.

Increased pain and redness in your incision. Fever. Pus in the wound. Can Appendicitis Be Prevented? There is no way to prevent appendicitis. However, appendicitis is less common in people who eat foods high in fiber, such as fresh fruits and vegetables.
Treatment of Appendicitis Surgery Acute appendicitis is treated by surgery to remove the appendix. The operation may be performed through a standard small incision in the right lower part of the abdomen, or it may be performed using a laparoscope, which requires three to four smaller incisions. If other conditions are suspected in addition to appendicitis, they may be identified using laparoscopy. In some patients, laparoscopy is preferable to open surgery because the incision is smaller, recovery time is quicker, and less pain medication is required. The appendix is almost always removed, even if it is found to be normal. With complete removal, any later episodes of pain will not be attributed to appendicitis. Recovery from appendectomy takes a few weeks. Doctors usually prescribe pain medication and ask patients to limit physical activity. Recovery from laparoscopic appendectomy is generally faster, but limiting strenuous activity may still be necessary for 4 to 6 weeks after surgery. Most people treated for appendicitis recover excellently and rarely need to make any changes in their diet, exercise, or lifestyle. Antibiotics and Other Treatments If the diagnosis is uncertain, people may be watched and sometimes treated with antibiotics. This approach is taken when the doctor suspects that the patient's symptoms may have a nonsurgical or medically treatable cause. If the cause of the pain is infectious, symptoms resolve with intravenous antibiotics and intravenous fluids. In general, however, appendicitis cannot be treated with antibiotics alone and will require surgery. Occasionally the body is able to control an appendiceal perforation by forming an abscess. An abscess occurs when an infection is walled off in one part of the body. The doctor may choose to drain the abscess and leave the drain in the abscess cavity for several weeks. An appendectomy may be scheduled after the abscess is drained. Complications of Appendicitis The most serious complication of appendicitis is rupture. The appendix bursts or tears if appendicitis is not diagnosed quickly and goes untreated. Infants, young children, and older adults are at highest risk. A ruptured appendix can lead to peritonitis and abscess. Peritonitis is a dangerous infection that happens when bacteria and other contents of the torn appendix leak into the abdomen. In people with appendicitis, an abscess usually takes the form of a swollen mass filled with fluid and bacteria. In a few patients, complications of appendicitis can lead to organ failure and death.

5 Things You Need to Know About Appendectomy Complications

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1. Appendectomy Surgery Is Common

An appendectomy is surgery performed to remove an inflamed or infected appendix. It's a common surgery and mostly goes off without a hitch. Sometimes, however, there may be appendectomy complications. Removal of the appendix may create other problems requiring immediate attention. Infection around the incision area may show up as red skin with drainage coming from the incision. Peritonitis is a much more serious appendectomy complication. This infection enters the blood stream and may become lifethreatening. Abdominal tenderness, fever, vomiting and rapid heart rate may indicate peritonitis.
Ask a Doctor Online Now 9 Doctors Are Online. Get your Health Answer Now! Health.JustAnswer.com Sponsored Links 2. Complications Cause Immobility and Increased Pain

Immobility (difficulty moving around) is an appendectomy complication due to simply not being able to get up and move soon after surgery. You may be immobile due to tubes or drains coming from your abdominal area, draining off infection or fluid. When an appendix ruptures, tubes must be used to drain infection and prevent the infection from spreading throughout your body systems. Increased pain and difficulty breathing may be side effects of anesthesia used during appendectomy.
3. Abscess and Hemorrhage Are Serious Complications

Pelvic abscesses or an abscess under the diaphragm (just below the lungs) may be appendectomy complications. An abscess is a pus pocket that forms deep in the body's tissues or in a body cavity. These abscesses must be surgically drained to prevent further infection. Chills, fever, sweating and diarrhea may be signs of abscess. Hemorrhage (excessive bleeding internally or externally) may be a complication of appendectomy.
4. Laser Surgery Cuts Down on Unsavory Connections

One appendectomy complication happens when fibrous tissue forms abnormal connections from one abdominal organ to another. These adhesions may cause pain and other unwanted side effects, making healing

difficult. However, these adhesions happen during traditional appendectomies where the abdomen must be opened up using a large incision. Nowadays, most appendectomies are done by laser, greatly minimizing adverse adhesions problems. Another appendectomy complication happens when another abdominal organ is accidentally perforated (cut or pricked) during appendix removal. Thankfully, this rarely happens.
5. Bowel Problems Are Rare But Serious

A condition called "ileus" in the medical field may happen after an appendectomy. This complication involves the bowels. When a doctor or nurse listens for bowel sounds, none can be heard. That's because nothing is moving and that's not a good sign. Anesthesia may cause your bowels to be slow "waking up" and you may require IV fluids to replenish bodily fluids and get things moving again. Very rarely bowels may be damaged during appendectomy. In that case, you may need another surgery to repair the damage.

Read more: http://www.livestrong.com/article/6445-need-appendectomycomplications/#ixzz1VlDSHpmn

Anatomy of the Digestive System Organs - Medical Illustration, Human Anatomy Drawing This medical exhibit diagram depicts the major organs of digestion within a generic body outline including the oral cavity, tongue, glottis, esophagus, stomach, duodenum, liver, small intestine, large intestine, transverse colon, and rectum.
Functions of the Digestive System The digestive system includes the digestive tract and its accessory organs, which process food into molecules that can be absorbed and utilized by the cells of the body. Food is broken down, bit by bit, until the molecules are small enough to be absorbed and the waste products are eliminated. The digestive tract, also called the alimentary canal or gastrointestinal (GI) tract, consists of a long continuous tube that extends from the mouth to the anus. It includes the mouth, pharynx, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, and large intestine. The tongue and teeth are accessory structures located in the mouth. The salivary glands, liver, gallbladder, and pancreas are major accessory organs that have a role in digestion. These organs secrete fluids into the digestive tract. Food undergoes three types of processes in the body: Digestion Absorption Elimination

Digestion and absorption occur in the digestive tract. After the nutrients are absorbed, they are available to all cells in the body and are utilized by the body cells in metabolism. The digestive system prepares nutrients for utilization by body cells through six activities, or functions. Ingestion. The first activity of the digestive system is to take in food through the mouth. This process, called ingestion, has to take place before anything else can happen. Mechanical Digestion. The large pieces of food that are ingested have to be broken into smaller particles that can be acted upon by various enzymes. This is mechanical digestion, which begins in the mouth with chewing or mastication and continues with churning and mixing actions in the stomach. Chemical Digestion The complex molecules of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats are transformed by chemical digestion into smaller molecules that can be absorbed and utilized by the cells. Chemical digestion, through a process called hydrolysis, uses water and digestive enzymes to break down the complex molecules. Digestive enzymes speed up the hydrolysis process, which is otherwise very slow. Movements. After ingestion and mastication, the food particles move from the mouth into the pharynx, then into the esophagus. This movement is deglutition, or swallowing. Mixing movements occur in the stomach as a result of smooth muscle contraction. These repetitive contractions usually occur in small segments of the digestive tract and mix the food particles with enzymes and other fluids. The movements that propel the food particles through the digestive tract are called peristalsis. These are rhythmic waves of contractions that move the food particles through the various regions in which mechanical and chemical digestion takes place. Absorption. The simple molecules that result from chemical digestion pass through cell membranes of the lining in the small intestine into the blood or lymph capillaries. This process is called absorption. Elimination. The food molecules that cannot be digested or absorbed need to be eliminated from the body. The removal of indigestible wastes through the anus, in the form of feces, is defecation or elimination.
Major content provider: U.S. National Cancer Institute Web publisher: SweetHaven Publishing Services Copyright 2005 SweetHaven Publishing Services All Rights Reserved

Complications
By Mayo Clinic staff Appendicitis can cause serious complications, such as: A ruptured appendix. If your appendix ruptures, the contents of your intestines and infectious organisms can leak into your abdominal cavity. This can cause an infection of your abdominal cavity (peritonitis).

A pocket of pus that forms in the abdomen. If your appendix has burst, infection and the seepage of intestinal contents may form an abscess a pocket of infection (appendiceal abscess) around the appendix. Appendiceal abscess requires treatment before the abscess tears, causing a more widespread infection of the abdominal cavity.

Surgical Postoperative Fever The most common complication of appendectomy is infection of the surgical wound.

Intra-abdominal abscess (fluid), needing drainage. Paralytic ileus where the gut stops functioning. This usually happens if the appendix ruptures and causes diffuse inflammation. Deep Vein Thrombosis is rare complication and required further tests. Anesthesia Related: Risks for any anesthesia include the following: Problems with breathing Chest infection Reactions to medications

Read more: Appendectomy / Appendecetomy Complications http://www.medindia.net/surgicalprocedures/AppendectomyComplications.htm#ixzz1XDMyQCC4

Complications of appendicitis
When to get help
Call 999 for an ambulance if you get a pain that suddenly gets much worse and spreads across your abdomen. These are signs that your appendix may have burst.

If appendicitis is not treated, the appendix can burst and cause potentially lifethreatening infections.

Peritonitis
If your appendix bursts, it releases pus to other parts of the body, which can cause an infection in the abdomen called peritonitis.

Peritonitis is the painful swelling of the abdomen area around the stomach and liver. The condition causes your normal bowel movements to stop and your bowel to become blocked. This causes: severe abdominal pain a fever of 38C (100.4F) or more a rapid heartbeat

If peritonitis is not treated immediately it can cause long-term problems and may even be fatal.

Abscess
Sometimes an abscess forms around a burst appendix. An abscess is a painful collection of pus that results from the bodys attempt to fight an infection. Abscesses can be treated using antibiotics, but in some cases the pus may need to be drained from the abscess.

Appendicitis 1.

Make sure the patient with suspected or unknown appendicitis receives nothing by mouth until surgery is performed. 2. Administer I.V. fluids to prevent dehydration. 3. Never administer cathartics or enemas because they may rupture the appendix. 4. Dont administer analgesics until the diagnosis is confirmed because they mask symptoms. Once the diagnosis is confirmed, analgesics maybe given. 5. Place the patient in fowlers position to reduce pain. Never apply heat to the right lower abdomen; this may cause the appendix to rupture. 6. Once the diagnosis is confirmed, prepare the patient for surgery. 7. If peritonitis occurs, nasogastric drainage may be necessary to decompress the stomach and reduce nausea and vomiting. 8. Monitor the patients vital signs. 9. Assess intake and output for signs of hydration, such as hypotension or fluid imbalance. 10. Evaluate the severity and location of abdominal pain. Notify doctor immediately if pain suddenly ceases. 11. Observe the patient for complications, such as peritonitis, appendiceal abscess, and pyelophlebitis.