Swelling of the appendix when it is inflamed, obstructed or infected is called appendicitis. The appendix is a small, tube-shaped pouch attached to the large intestine on the lower right side of the abdomen.
It has no major function in adults, its a vestigeal organ.
Common appendicitis symptoms include:
If you experience sudden severe abdominal pain, seek immediate gastroenterology consultation.
Appendicitis occurs when the appendix is blocked by:
Infection
This blockage leads to bacterial growth, resulting in swelling, inflammation, and sometimes rupture.
Doctors may use:
If left untreated, the appendix can burst, leading to a serious infection (peritonitis) or abscess formation, which can be life-threatening and needs emergency care.
The main treatment is surgical removal of the appendix, known as an appendectomy. It can be done through:
In mild cases, antibiotics may be given before surgery or, rarely, as the only treatment.
No, it is not a life threatening major surgery. Though done under general anaesthesia, it is not a major surgery.
In early cases, 1-2 days of hospital stay is enough including a day of surgery.
In complications like perforation or rupture of appendix or abscess formation, recovery may be delayed and patients may have to stay a few more extra days in the hospital.
No, digestion is not affected as the appendix has no role in digestion and it is a vestigeal organ.
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