What does the appendix do?

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The appendix is a small pouch located at the lower end of the right side of the stomach and attached to the intestine. Appendicitis which is the inflammation of the appendix usually occurs when the appendix gets blocked. As a result of this, it will cause the growth of bacteria there, leading to painful pressure… Read More

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What does the appendix do?

The appendix is a small pouch located at the lower end of the right side of the stomach and attached to the intestine. Appendicitis which is the inflammation of the appendix usually occurs when the appendix gets blocked. As a result of this, it will cause the growth of bacteria there, leading to painful pressure in the stomach due to swelling and pus formation. Appendicitis may be acute or chronic.

During pregnancy, appendicitis may be difficult to diagnose as the appendix can be caused to shift upwards in the abdomen, and this will cause a change in the position of the pain of appendicitis. Acute appendicitis affects roughly 0.04 to 0.2 percent of pregnant women. It requires surgery to be done during pregnancy and is the most common non-obstetric emergency. Sometimes the symptoms may be mistaken for routine pregnancy conditions. Miscarriage or other complications can help once diagnosis and treatment are delayed.  

What does the appendix do?
Picture courtesy: everydayhealth

Appendicitis can cause the appendix to burst if not treated at once. This can be fatal as this will lead to spillage of the bacteria into the abdominal cavity. Once an appendix ruptures, it can cause severe complications as the ruptured appendix can cause spillage of bacterial and fecal materials into the cavity of the abdomen. The doctor may recommend either surgery or prescribe antibiotics to manage the complications from a ruptured appendix. Severe infection, which can be painful and life-threatening, can be caused by a ruptured appendix and this includes:

  1. Peritonitis: This is the inflammation and infection of the peritoneum, which is the lining of the abdominal cavity, as a result of the bacteria spilling into the cavity of the abdomen from a ruptured appendix. Peritonitis can be fatal and serious. It can be treated via surgical removal of the appendix and the use of antibiotics.

2. Sepsis: Sepsis is a severe condition that occurs though in rare situations when the bacteria from a ruptured abscess moves to other parts of the body through the bloodstream. According to Sepsis Alliance, one in three persons dies due to sepsis, and it is a medical emergency.

3. Abscesses: abscess is usually formed around an appendix that has burst; it is a pocket of pus that is painful. There is a need to drain the abscess and use antibiotics to treat the infection. They may be drained using a needle before or during the surgery.

Functions of the Appendix

The appendix, found in the lower abdomen, is a thin tube four inches long. It is found where the small intestine intercepts with the large intestine, attached to the first part of the large intestine. Many believe the appendix serves little or no function and only gets noticed once it is inflamed. The exact functions of the appendix are clearly not known, although there are still researches ongoing by researchers that may show that the appendix may have a role to play in maintaining good health.

Symptoms of Appendicitis

The pain of appendicitis starts either in the area of the belly button or the upper part of the abdomen as a mild cramping pain which then moves to the lower right quadrant of the abdomen. Characteristics of this pain include

  1. It is sudden
  2. Worsen with movement by the individual or coughing by the individual
  3. Within a few hours, pain tends to worsen
  4. The intensity of the pain can wake one from sleep
  5. Its severity is different from other abdominal pain

Apart from pain, there are other symptoms of appendicitis though symptoms like problems associated with the bowel are not common, which include constipation (if constipated and there is suspicious of diarrhea, it is advised not to use laxatives or enema as this may rupture the appendix), diarrhea, gas passage difficulty. Other symptoms include indigestion, nausea, vomiting, low-grade fever, appetite loss, and abdomen swelling.

Symptoms of Appendicitis
Picture courtesy: elite24er

Types of Appendicitis

Chronic Appendicitis

This kind of appendicitis may be difficult to diagnose or may not even be diagnosed until it becomes acute and can be deadly. It can occur in 1.5 percent of individuals who have already had a case of chronic appendicitis.

It is not as common as acute appendicitis. The symptoms are believed to happen following an incident of acute appendicitis and are relatively mild. The symptoms may reappear over weeks, months or years after symptoms have been initially thought to have disappeared.

Acute Appendicitis 

Acute appendicitis needs to be treated immediately. It is a sudden and severe case of appendicitis and, if not treated at once, can cause the appendix to rupture. It mostly occurs in males than in females and is found among children and the age group of 10 to 30 years. Acute appendicitis is more common than chronic appendicitis. In acute appendicitis, the pain comes suddenly and increases within 24 hours. A ruptured appendix can cause serious complications and can be fatal.

Causes 

The cause of appendicitis is not known in many cases. Experts believe that appendicitis happens when there is an obstruction or blockage in a part of the appendix. There are certain things that can cause the appendix to be obstructed, and they include:

  1. Tumors
  2. Injuries that are traumatic
  3. Intestinal worms
  4. Enlarged lymphoid follicles
  5. Hard stool that has built-up

Risk factors 

Though appendicitis can affect anyone, some persons are less likely to get this condition than others. The risk factors include

  1. Family history: the risk of having appendicitis is increased in those with a family history of appendicitis.
  2. Age: even though appendicitis can occur at any age, it more common among teens and young adults in their 20s
  3. Sex: it is seen more among males than in females.

Diagnosis

There is not a single test available for the diagnosis of appendicitis. The doctor usually does a physical examination to check the lower right part of the abdomen for any tenderness, swelling or rigidity. A digital rectal exam may be done. More tests may be done, ruling out other causes depending on the physical examination to check for signs of appendicitis. 

Treatment and Prevention

The most viable treatment option for appendicitis is appendectomy which is the surgical removal of the appendix. Treatment may also include abscess drainage if it hasn’t ruptured via needle drainage or surgery before the appendectomy.

There is no known way to prevent appendicitis though it is believed that eating a diet rich in fiber can help to reduce the risk of developing it. In countries where people eat high-fiber-containing food, the prevalence of appendicitis is low there.

FAQ

What does the appendix do?

The exact functions of the appendix are clearly not known, although there are still researches ongoing by researchers that may show that the appendix may have a role to play in maintaining good health.