In the U.S. 1 in 15 people suffer from the appendicitis. This disease can appear at any age; it is rare at children under age 2 and common between ages 10 and 30. The appendicitis may be defined as an inflammation of the appendix, which is a 3 1/2-inch-long tube of tissue that enlarges from the large intestine.It is known that people can live without appendix.

A prompt surgery for removing the appendix can be considered as a medical emergency. An inflamed appendix will burst or perforate if it is left untreated. Some infections materials from the abdominal cavity can lead to peritonitis.The peritonitis can be fatal unless it is treated quickly with strong antibiotics. The pus-filled abscess forms outside the inflamed appendix.

The infection can be stopped from spreading by the "walls off" the appendix from the rest of the abdomen. All appendicitis treated as emergencies requiring surgery. When the appendix is blocked by a stool, foreign body or cancer appendicitis occurs.

The usual symptoms of appendicitis are: dull pain near the navel or the upper abdomen and it becomes sharp as it moves to the lower right abdomen, loss of appetite, nausea or vomiting soon after abdominal pain begins, abdominal swelling, fever of 99 grades F to 102 grades F and inability to pass gas. Other symptoms which may appear are: dull or sharp pain anywhere in the upper or lower abdomen, back or rectum, painful urination, vomiting that precedes the abdominal pain, severe cramps and constipation or diarrhea with gas.

To avoid the appearance of an inflamed appendix any pain remedies like: antacids, laxatives or heating pads should be exclude. Appendicitis symptoms can be tricky because are frequently vague or extremely similar with Crohn's disease, gastritis, intestinal infection and ovary problems. To give a precise diagnosis the following tests are used: abdominal exam to detect inflammation, urine test to rule out a urinary tract infection, rectal exam, blood test to see if the body is fighting infection and CT scans or ultrasound.

The standard treatment for appendicitis is the surgery to remove the appendix named appendectomy. If the appendix has formed an abscess two procedures can exist: one to drain the abscess of pus and fluid and the other one to remove the appendix. Before an appendectomy to fight possible peritonitis the patient receives antibiotics. When the appendix is removed through a 4-inch incision or laparoscopy general anesthesia is required. The abdomen is irrigated and drained of pus in case of peritonitis.

The patient can get up and move around after 12 hours of surgery and also can return to normal activities in 2 or 3 weeks. When the surgery is done with laparoscope the incision is smaller and recovery is faster. Sometimes after an appendectomy patients may present: uncontrolled vomiting, increased pain in the abdomen, feeling of faintness, blood in the vomit or urine, increased pain and redness in the incision, fever and pus in the wound.

Appendicitis is less common in people who eat foods high in fiber, such as fresh fruits and vegetables. Unfortunately the appendicitis cannot prevent.