This tissue encourages certain beneficialgut bacteriato grow, aiding in digestion and immunity.
(2)
Still, removing the appendix doesnt appear to cause any harm or negative health consequences.
People can live perfectly normal lives without their appendix.
The appendix can burst in as little as 48 to 72 hours after symptoms begin.
These patients usually dont realize they have appendicitis until an acute episode strikes.
This is more often the case in children and pregnant women.
(10)
In the second case, there can be several different sources of blockage.
These include:
Air pollution has also been linked to an increased risk of appendicitis.
Scientists suspect that high levels of ozone might increase inflammation in the intestine or increase susceptibility to infection.
(11)
When a persons appendix becomes infected or obstructed, bacteria inside the organ multiply rapidly.
This bacterial takeover causes the appendix to become infected and swollen with pus.
Learn More About the Causes of Appendicitis
How Is Appendicitis Diagnosed?
There isnt one specific test to diagnose appendicitis.
Appendicitis occurs most commonly in kids and young adults between the ages of 10 and 19 years.
Appendicitis is the most frequent cause of emergency abdominal surgery among children.
(15)
Signs of appendicitis can vary widely in children.
(16)
To confirm a diagnosis of appendicitis in children, doctors use imaging procedures.
Signs of appendicitis can appear anywhere between 4 and 48 hours after infection.
The earlier appendicitis is treated, the better.
Surgeons will remove the appendix using one of two methods: open or laparoscopic surgery.
During laparoscopic surgery, on the other hand, surgeons insert special surgical tools into several smaller incisions.
This option is believed to have fewer complications and a shorter recovery time.
Symptoms of peritonitis include fever, nausea, vomiting, bloating, and severe tenderness in the abdomen.
(20)
In other cases of complicated appendicitis, abscesses may form on or around the burst appendix.
Antibiotics are used before and after an appendectomy to prevent wound infections.
According to the NIH, this can happen up to 25 percent of the time.
If this occurs, your surgeon will often still remove the appendix as a prophylactic measure.
(10)
Learn More About Appendectomy
Chronic vs.
Acute Appendicitis
Acute appendicitis happens quickly and needs to be treated urgently.
This is called chronic appendicitis, and it accounts for approximately 1.5 percent of all appendicitis cases.
Once chronic appendicitis is properly diagnosed, an appendectomy resolves symptoms for most patients.
Its also less expensive.
The vast majority of these cases of NOM failure happened within two weeks of the patients initial appendicitis.
(26)
Complications of Appendicitis
Appendicitis can be a life-threatening condition.
If not treated right away, the appendix can burst, spreading infection throughout the abdomen.
When the appendix bursts, it can produce a pocket of pus called an abscess.
Once this happens, an appendectomy can be performed.
(6)
Research and Statistics: How Many People Have Appendicitis?
Joseph Bennington-Castro is a science writer based in Hawaii.
Appendicitis
Appendix: What Is It, and What Does It Do?
Diverticulitis
What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Diverticulitis, and How Is It Diagnosed?
Abdominal Pain: Is It Appendicitis or Something Else?
Appendicitis in Children: Signs, Symptoms, and More
What Is an Appendectomy?
Causes, Treatment, and Complications
