Appendix is a small pouch attached to the beginning of the large intestine. Appendicitis is inflammation of the appendix. It is one of the most common causes of emergency abdominal surgery.

Cause

It usually occurs when the appendix becomes blocked by stool, a foreign object, or rarely, a tumor.

Symptoms

Typically, the first symptom is pain around the navel. The pain may be vague at first, but becomes increasingly sharp and severe. Patient may have reduced appetite, nausea, vomiting, and a low-grade fever. As the inflammation in the appendix increases, the pain tends to move into right lower abdomen and focuses directly above the appendix at a place called McBurney's point.Appendicitis

If the appendix ruptures, the pain may lessen briefly and patient may feel better. However, once the lining of the abdominal cavity becomes inflamed and infected (a condition called peritonitis), the pain gets worse and patient become sicker. The abdominal pain may be worse when walking or coughing. Patient may prefer to lie still because sudden movement causes pain.

Later symptoms include Chills, Constipation, Diarrhoea, Fever, Loss of appetite, Nausea, Shaking, Vomiting.

Diagnosed

History

Physical Examination

Abdominal ultrasound

Abdominal CT

Treatment

The appendix is removed – Laparoscopic appendectomy.