The “vermiform appendix” named by anatomists is a part of the colon, being attached to the cecum. It measures 4-5 centimeters in length and looks like an empty tube. Some say that it has no important function in our body and that it is only a residuum of what used to be in our primitive past.

The inflammation of the appendix is considered to appear if the appendix’s entrance in the cecum gets blocked by hardened mucus or stool. Also bacteria and viruses from the intestinal tract can cause an appendix inflammation. Once the abdominal pain had occurred, it is considered that the appendix got filled with pus and so, surgery must be done as soon as possible before the perforation of the appendix occurs and the infection spreads to the entire body.

Nowadays appendicitis is not as frequent as it way years before and affects mostly patients aged from 10 to 30. Of course, children and elder people can get appendicitis but not is such a large number as this category of age.

In order to see if you have appendicitis or not the doctor will request a blood test to see if the white blood cells are in an increased number, also a urine test will be made to eliminate the possibility of a urine infection; CT and ultrasounds are performed too and are quite reliable nowadays.

Some of the symptoms of appendicitis are: pain in the belly button area which in the end will move in the right side of the lower abdomen and will be much worse, low graded fever, nauseas and sometimes even vomiting, loss of appetite and constipation or diarrhea.

If you suspect you have appendicitis you should not eat or drink anything and also do not take laxatives because a perforation of the appendix might be caused and this is a serious complication. The best thing to do is call your doctor and ask for an immediate check-up.

Appendicitis is considered to be an emergency due to its severe complications that can occur if left untreated.

Surgery will remove the inflamed appendix with the help of the laparoscope. This device will leave a smaller scar than the scalpel, and patients will recover faster after the surgery made with the laparoscope.

It is not a tragedy if you do not have your appendix any more. Every year one in 500 people have their appendix removed and they live just like they did before, with no restrains.



For more resources on appendicitis or especially about symptoms of appendicitis please click this link http://www.appendicitis-center.com/symptoms-of-appendicitis.htm