Appendicitis – Causes and Symptoms

Appendicitis is the most common cause of abdominal pain resulting in surgery in the United States. Anyone can develop appendicitis, but it normally occurs in people between the ages of 10 and 30.

Appendicitis is caused by the inflammation of the appendix. It may be acute or chronic. In most people, the pain starts around the navel. Appendicitis pain worsens as the inflammation increases.

Left untreated, appendicitis may cause the appendix to burst and cause an infection. This condition is also known as peritonitis. Peritonitis may cause nausea, fever, vomiting, and severe tenderness in the abdomen. This can be sometimes fatal.

Learn more about the symptoms and treatment of appendicitis. If you notice any of these symptoms, go to your local Bryan emergency room.

Appendicitis symptoms may include the following:

• A jolt of pain that starts around the belly button and shifts to the lower right abdomen
• Sudden pain that starts on the right side of the lower abdomen
• Nausea and vomiting
• Pain that worsens when walking, coughing, or making other jarring movements
• Low-grade fever that worsens as the condition progresses
• Loss of appetite
• Abdominal bloating
• Diarrhea or constipation
• Inability to pass gas

What Causes Appendicitis?

More often than not, an obstruction in the appendix may cause its rupture – often by a foreign body, cancer, or stool. The blockage may also be caused by an infection, since the appendix may swell in response to bodily infection.

Obstruction can be the result of:

• worms
• enlarged lymphoid follicles
• tumors
• trauma

An obstruction can cause bacteria to multiply and form pus. The increased pressure may compress blood vessels and can be painful.

It might start off as a mild cramping, but the pain becomes more severe over time. The inflammation of the appendix can be a life-threatening condition. Delayed treatment may cause the organ to burst, spreading fecal matter and infection throughout the abdomen. Other organs can also become inflamed after the appendix ruptures. Affected organs may include the bladder, cecum, and sigmoid colon.

If you suspect that you may have appendicitis, go to your nearest Bryan, TX emergency room. Appendicitis can escalate into a medical emergency quickly.