Appendicitis
The appendix is a worm-shaped vestigial organ at of our body. It is believed to have few functions such as -providing an immune system to the body and said to be the bacteria’s self-house and some studies say that -it is really of no use and termed it as a vestigial organ. When this appendix gets inflamed – it known as appendicitis and it is common in 10 % of the population.
Cause oF Appendicitis:
Various causes include:
- OBSTRUCTION: due to fecal stones, undigested seeds, pinworm infection, lymphoid hyperplasia
- VIRAL INFECTIONS
- INFLAMMATORY BOWEL DISEASE
- BLOCKAGE OF THE OPENING INSIDE THE APPENDIX
All these causes mentioned above, causes inflammation and it causes the mucus secretion to be increased which leads to pressure built-up and the appendix starts to grow and puts pressure on the visceral nerve fibers and it leads to abdominal pain and the gut flora such as E.coli, Bacteroides fragilis lower down the immune system
Symptoms oF Appendicitis:
- Right lower quadrant pain in the abdomen at – McBurney’s point
- Fever
- Vomiting
- Rebound tenderness
- Abdominal guarding
- Diarrhea
Diagnosis oF Appendicitis:
- Complete medical history and past family history by the doctor
- X-ray of the abdomen
- Ultrasound
- Computed tomography
Treatment oF Appendicitis:
- Medication:
- ANTIBIOTICS: are given to treat the underlying infection.
- Fluids are given to compensate for the loss of appetite.
- ANALGESICS: are given to relieve the abdomen pain
- Surgery:
- OPEN APPENDECTOMY: where the appendix is removed through an open incision.
- LAPAROSCOPIC APPENDECTOMY: is the type of surgery which involves placing of video camera through one of the various small incisions.
- Worm-Shaped