Appendicitis is one of the most common digestive diseases. It represents the inflammation of the appendix, which is a 3 ? inch-long tube of tissue that extends from the last intestine. It is a strange thing that no one knows what the function of appendix is, but it was proved that we can live without it without having to suffer any consequences.



Appendicitis represents a serious medical problem that requires a prompt surgical intervention in order to remove the appendix. If this problem is not treated there is the risk for an inflamed appendix that might burst or perforate spilling the infectious materials into the abdominal cavity. This condition might lead to a much more serious problem known as peritonitis that is a severe inflammation of the abdominal cavity's lining called peritoneum. This condition might be fatal if it is not treated with strong antibiotics.

There are known some cases when a puss-filled abscess forms outside the inflamed appendix. The puss-filled abscess is an infection that is walled off from the rest of the body. The scar tissue then walls off the appendix from the abdomen and prevents the spreading of the infection. These situations are less urgent than the normal cases of appendicitis but they can not be identified without surgery. That is why all the appendicitis cases are treated as emergencies and do require a surgical intervention.

Statistics say that in United States 1 out of 15 persons develops appendicitis. It is also known that appendicitis can strike at any age but is rarely seen in children that are younger than two years. The most frequent cases are developed by persons with age between 10 and 30 years.

In most of the cases appendicitis occurs when the appendix is blocked. The appendix gets blocked by a stool, a foreign body or cancer. Appendix blockage may also occur from infections because the appendix swells in response to any infection in the body.

Among the common symptoms which appendicitis include we have to mention the pain near the navel or the upper abdomen, loss of appetite, nausea or vomiting right after the abdominal pain occurs, abdominal swelling, fever or inability to pass gas.

Not so often as the symptoms mentioned earlier are the following symptoms: dull or sharp pain anywhere in the upper or lower abdomen, back or rectum, painful urination, vomiting, severe cramps, constipation or diarrhea.

If you develop these symptoms you should see a doctor. It is not recommended to use any pain remedies, antacids, laxatives or any other treatments that might lead to an appendix rupture.