Posted ByEugeneThe appendix is an organ located in the lower right side of your abdomen. It can be a bit tricky to identify, but it’s important to understand how it works and what its function is.
Most people have heard about appendicitis, but you may not know that this condition has two distinct parts: acute appendicitis and chronic appendicitis (also known as appendiceal neoplasm).
Acute appendicitis is caused by inflammation in the appendix, which causes the appendix to swell up and become red, tender, and inflamed. As the name implies, this is an emergency situation because if left untreated, appendicitis could lead to peritonitis and potentially death. The symptoms of acute appendicitis include pain below the ribcage on one or both sides, nausea, vomiting, fever, and a feeling of fullness or bloating after eating.
Chronic appendicitis is usually benign; however, it might also cause abdominal discomfort or pain. Here are some of the signs of chronic appendicitis.
If one of these conditions occurs, you should see a doctor immediately. And remember, appendicitis is different from stomach problems such as gastritis or peptic ulcer disease.
If you want to know more about appendicitis then here are some common points which will help you to know more about it. If you read all these points given below than you will be able to know about it. But if you still did not get anything than you can check it on the internet as there is lot of information available regarding it.
Here is more information on the signs of appendicitis.
What causes appendicitis?
Many people think that appendicitis happens when food gets trapped in the appendix, but this is incorrect. In fact, the most common cause of appendicitis is bacterial infection. This means that bacteria travel into the appendix through an opening called the cecum, where they multiply and cause severe inflammation. If this inflammation isn’t treated with antibiotics, it can eventually spread throughout your body, causing other illnesses.
Some studies suggest that appendicitis is triggered by diet, particularly high-fat diets. However, the evidence for this theory is very weak. More likely than not, the best way to prevent appendicitis is to maintain a healthy weight and eat lots of fruits and vegetables. These foods contain antioxidants, which help protect against infections.
In addition to diet, some other risk factors for appendicitis include smoking, low levels of vitamin D, and poor bowel health. Smoking increases the risk of inflammation in the intestine, while low vitamin D levels increase the risk of infection. To keep your gut healthy, make sure to get enough sleep, exercise regularly, limit alcohol consumption, and avoid processed foods.
Read on to learn about some of the most common causes of appendicitis.
- Bacteria travel to the appendix from the intestines
There are many types of bacteria in your digestive tract, including those that live in your mouth and nose. Normally, the bacteria in your digestive system do a good job of keeping out foreign invaders like viruses and germs. But sometimes, something comes along that changes things—for example, eating poorly, taking certain medications, or not having enough sleep. When this happens, the bacteria in your gut may start multiplying too quickly.
This results in overgrowth of bacteria in the small intestine and colon, which then travels down to the appendix via the lymphatic system. Once there, the bacteria begin to grow and create severe inflammation.
- Foods containing fats trigger appendicitis
When bacteria travel to the appendix, it’s possible that the appendix will become inflamed. This occurs in cases of chronic appendicitis, but it can also happen in cases of acute appendicitis. One study found that the incidence of acute appendicitis increased sharply during the 1990s. Researchers were able to explain this increase by looking at dietary trends. They discovered that the amount of fat in the American diet had risen dramatically between 1960 and 2000. So, it makes sense that people who eat a lot of fat would be more prone to developing appendicitis.
A recent study suggests that the link between obesity and appendicitis is stronger among women. Women with a BMI of 30 or higher were twice as likely to develop appendicitis compared to women with a normal weight. Men who were obese were only slightly more likely to develop appendicitis than men with a normal weight.
If you’re overweight or obese, you should try to lose weight to reduce your risk of suffering from appendicitis. Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables and drink green tea. These foods all contain antioxidants that can help fight off bacteria.
- A virus triggers appendicitis
Viruses are much smaller than bacteria, so they’re unable to survive without a host cell. This means that when a virus enters your bloodstream, it attaches itself to a type of white blood cell called a monocyte. Then, the virus injects its genetic material into the monocytes, turning them into cancer cells. Once the virus has replicated itself inside the cell, it becomes dormant and no longer needs the original host. This is why viral infections tend to go away on their own.
However, in rare instances, the monocyte turns into a macrophage. Macrophages are immune cells that destroy foreign invaders like bacteria, but they also can destroy our own tissue. In order for this to occur, the virus must attach itself to the macrophage first. After that, the virus uses the macrophage’s own proteins to replicate itself. This process continues until the virus kills the macrophage entirely.
One of the most well-known viruses that causes appendicitis is coxsackievirus. Coxsackievirus is responsible for outbreaks of hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) and aseptic meningitis. HFMD is a viral illness that affects the skin on the hands, feet, and face; it typically causes mild fever, sore throat, headache, muscle aches, and malaise.
Coxsackievirus travels to the macrophage through a special receptor on the surface of the monocyte. The virus then infects the macrophage, replicates, and spreads throughout the entire body, ultimately destroying the macrophage.
- Certain surgeries can trigger appendicitis
Surgery is often necessary when treating appendicitis, either due to complications from the infection or to save your life. The risk of surgery depends on several factors, including the state of your health before the operation, your overall medical history, and whether the surgeon is experienced with performing laparoscopic or open surgical procedures.
After an appendectomy, patients should take it easy for a few weeks. Avoid lifting heavy objects, working in hot environments, and doing any strenuous activity. Keep your bowels clear by drinking plenty of liquids and eating plenty of fiber.
How long does appendicitis last?
If you suffer from acute appendicitis, you might notice the following symptoms for several days:
Pain beneath the ribcage on one or both sides.
Nausea and/or vomiting.
Fever.
Bloating.
It’s important to note that some of these symptoms can appear for several days even after you’ve been diagnosed and treated. Symptoms such as fever and abdominal pain can continue for weeks or months after the initial diagnosis. Your doctor may give you prescriptions for painkillers to ease your discomfort.
For chronic appendicitis, your symptoms may differ depending on the severity of the case. For instance, if you have a mild case of chronic appendicitis, you might experience abdominal cramps, gas, bloating, diarrhea, fatigue, constipation, and other gastrointestinal issues.
If your case is more severe, you might experience pain in your lower back and legs, nausea, vomiting, and abdominal distention. You might also experience shortness of breath, dehydration, and fatigue. Fortunately, chronic appendicitis doesn’t have any serious consequences, unlike acute appendicitis.