Infected

appendix

Appendicitis
Appendicitis is an inflammation of the appendix. The
appendix has no known function in the body, but it can
become diseased. Appendicitis is a medical emergency,
and if left untreated, the appendix may rupture and
cause a potentially fatal infection.

Risk Factors

Risk factors for Acute Appendicitis dont directly cause the

disease, but they increase the susceptibility of the person to
this ailment.
The following enumerate the risk factors of appendicitis
Age: Appendicitis can occur in all age but is more
common between the ages of 10 and 20.

Etiology
Research shows that this condition is caused by an
obstruction in the appendix. The obstruction may be
either partial or complete, and is often caused by an
accumulation of fecal matter.
It can also be caused by :
enlarged lymphoid follicles
worms
trauma
tumors

CLINICAL PICTURE

A risk factor is anything that increases a persons chance of

getting a disease such as Appendicitis.

Gender: A male preponderance exists, with a male to

female ratio (1.4:1) and the overall lifetime risk is 8.6% for
males and 6.7% for females.
A male child suffering from cystic fibrosis is at a higher
risk for developing appendicitis.
Diet: People whose diet is low in fibers and rich in refined
carbohydrates have an increased risk of getting
appendicitis.
Hereditary: Having a family history of appendicitis may
increase a child's risk for the illness.

1. Appendicitis is usually caused by luminal

The following signs and symptoms speculates on

the clinical picture of appendicitis:

obstruction.

2. Once obstruction has occurred, the mucus

secretion of the epithelial mucosal layer of the

appendix accumulates causing intraluminal
hypertension and appendiceal distention.

Lower right side abdominal pain.

Loss of appetite.
Nausea and/or vomiting soon after abdominal pain
begins.
Abdominal swelling.
Fever of 99-102 degrees Fahrenheit.
Inability to pass gas.

3. As a result, visceral afferent nerve fibers that enter

the spinal cord at T8-T10 are stimulated, causing
referred epigastric and periumbilical pain.

4. As appendiceal mural tension increases, luminal

pressure begins to exceed capillary perfusion
pressure.

Almost half the time, other symptoms of

appendicitis appear, including:

5. Lymphatic and venous drainage are impaired and

6. As a result, breakdown of the protective epithelial

ischemia develops.

Dull or sharp pain anywhere in the upper or lower

abdomen, back, or rectum.
Painful urination.
Vomiting that precedes the abdominal pain.
Severe cramps.
Constipation or diarrhea with gas.

mucosal barrier occurs. Luminal bacteria starts

invading the appendiceal wall causing transmural
inflammation of the appendix.

7. At this stage, somatic pain supersedes the early

referred pain, and patients usually undergo a
shifting of maximal pain to the right lower quadrant.

8. If the inflamed appendix is not removed, it can

eventually burst or rupture from the buildup of
pressure.

9. If the flow is disrupted, arterial infection will occur

Incidence and Prevalence

followed by gangrene appendix.

10. This may happen as soon as 24 to 72 hours after

Studies show that one person in 12 develops appendicitis in their
lifetime. Although it can strike at any age, appendicitis is rare
under the age of 2 and most
.
Investigations profess that incidence rates are falling from
100 to 50 in 100,000.
The incidence rates are higher in developed countries and
in developing countries that adopt a more refined western
type of diet.
Incidence of appendicitis is lower in cultures with a higher
intake of dietary fiber.

symptoms start.

References:

http://www.medicaldictionary.thefreedictionary.com/appendicitis
www.healthline.com/health/appendicitis
http://www.webmd.com/digestivedisorders/digestive-diseases-appendicitis
http://www.medindia.net/patients/patientinfo/app
endicitis_risk.htm
http://m.kidshealth.org/en/teens/appendicitis.html
http://www.sonny2.com/articles/appendicitis.htm