Recognizing acute appendicitis is not a difficult matter as long as you know its symptoms, it is a disease with familial predisposition and affects a quite large number of people. It has been observed that its incidence is lower in cultures with high intake of dietary fiber nutrition, appendicitis is provoked by the obstructions of the appendices lumen. But, there are not enough explanations for the mechanisms of appendicitis.



Appendix is a small finger like tube close ended that attaches to the cecum, the appendix is known as the vermiform appendix in anatomical name. On its inner lining the appendix contains mucus and lymphatic tissue and layer of muscles. In adults the length of the appendix is approximated to 10 cm, but values of 2-20 cm are often seen. Its anatomical position varies from the retro-caecal position to extra-peritoneal although its base is in constant location, usually is located in the lower right quadrant of the abdomen. Its functions are: endocrine, lymphatic, exocrine, neuromuscular.

It is also believed that the appendix has no significant function except the vestigial remnant cecum. A fecalith(a rock of stool) blocks the opening of the appendix or the lymphatic tissue swells and creates a blockage. Bacteria invade the wall of the appendix and the body responds by inflammation. If the wall ruptures the infections spreads through the abdomen and the body. That???s why the treatment of the appendicitis is urgent because otherwise the appendix becomes gangrenous, perforated and ruptured.

Appendicitis symptoms differ from one person to another. One of them is abdominal pain which is at first diffuse and people do not indicate the exact location of pain, after the inflammation of the peritoneum the pain can be localized clearly in the area situated between the right hipbone and the belly button of the patient. McBurney's point which is famous in appendix inflammation becomes highly sensitive and painfully. If the appendix ruptures and the infection spreads the abdomen becomes inflamed and the pain is diffuse again.

Other symptoms are nausea, vomiting, fever, loss of appetite, progressive tenderness in the right lower abdomen. Abdominal pain appears during the activity, the breathing, coughing and sneezing, right-side abdominal pain in later stages. If we tough the area the abdomen is painful, bad breath may appear, abdominal swelling.

Constipation, diarrhea, loss of appetite, inability to pass gas are common symptoms for acute appendicitis. If not treated the appendicitis ruptures and in 24 hours the infection spreads to all abdominal organs.

Sometimes appendicitis is difficult to diagnose because its symptoms are not very clear, if the pain starts in any other region and the tenderness is not prominent, especially in women may be confounded with many other illnesses.