APPENDICITIS

BASIC INFORMATION

DESCRIPTION

Appendicitis is an inflammation of the appendix. The

appendix is a small tube-like pouch that is part of the

large intestine. The appendix has no known function,

but it can become diseased. Symptoms vary widely. It

can affect all ages and both sexes. It occurs most often

in ages 10 to 19 and in males more than females.
FREQUENT SIGNS & SYMPTOMS

• Pain that frequently begins close to the navel and

moves toward the right lower abdomen. Pain becomes

persistent. It worsens with moving, breathing deeply,

coughing, sneezing, walking, or being touched.

•Nausea and sometimes vomiting.

• Constipation and inability to pass gas.

• Diarrhea (occasionally).

• Low fever (begins after other symptoms).

• Abdominal swelling (late stages).
CAUSES

The exact cause is unknown. The appendix may be

blocked with feces from the intestinal tract which leads

to infection. When infected, the appendix becomes

swollen, inflamed, and filled with pus.
RISK INCREASES WITH

• Viral or bacterial infection of the gastrointestinal tract.

• Family history of appendicitis.

• Cystic fibrosis.

•Diet that is low in fiber.
PREVENTIVE MEASURES

No specific preventive measures.

EXPECTED OUTCOMES

Curable with surgery. People can live a normal life without

their appendix.
POSSIBLE COMPLICATIONS

• Rupture of the appendix, abscess (pus-filled area),

and peritonitis. Rupture occurs earlier in children, but

is more common in older persons.

• Wound infection or other surgery complications.

• Bowel obstruction.
DIAGNOSIS & TREATMENT

GENERAL MEASURES

• Don’t take any laxatives, enemas, or drugs for pain

prior to diagnosis. Laxatives may lead to rupture, and

pain or fever reducers make diagnosis more difficult.

• Your health care provider will do a physical exam and

ask questions about your symptoms. Medical tests may

include blood and urine studies, x-ray, CT, ultrasound,

or other tests to confirm the diagnosis.

• Treatment involves surgery to remove the appendix

(appendectomy). Because appendicitis can be hard to

diagnose, surgery may be delayed until symptoms and

signs progress enough to confirm the diagnosis.

• Surgery may be done with a laparoscope (a tube-like

instrument with a light on the end). Small incisions (3

to 4) are made in the abdomen. The appendix is

removed using instruments inserted into the incisions.

• Open surgery may be done. This involves one larger

incision in the abdomen to remove the appendix. This

type of surgery is done if the appendix has ruptured

(burst).

• If an abscess has formed, surgery may be delayed

until the abscess is drained and has time to heal.
MEDICATIONS

• Antibiotics for infection and drugs for pain are usually

prescribed after surgery.

• Stool softeners to prevent constipation may be

recommended.
ACTIVITY

• Rest in a bed or chair until surgery.

• Resume normal activities gradually after surgery.
DIET

• Don’t eat or drink anything until appendicitis has

been diagnosed. Anesthesia for surgery is much safer if

the stomach is empty. If you are very thirsty, wash your

mouth out with water.

• After surgery, a liquid diet is used for a short time. A

regular diet may be resumed as the intestinal tract

returns to normal.
NOTIFY OUR OFFICE IF

• You or a family member has symptoms of

appendicitis.

• The following occur after surgery:

- Fever of 101.5°F (38.6°C) or higher.

- Increased redness, swelling, or pain at the incision

site or if the site has drainage.

- Vomiting or diarrhea occurs.
◄ BACK

APPENDICITIS

BASIC INFORMATION

DESCRIPTION

FREQUENT SIGNS & SYMPTOMS

CAUSES

RISK INCREASES WITH

PREVENTIVE MEASURES

EXPECTED OUTCOMES

POSSIBLE COMPLICATIONS

DIAGNOSIS & TREATMENT

GENERAL MEASURES

MEDICATIONS

ACTIVITY

DIET

NOTIFY OUR OFFICE IF

Patient Access

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