appendix Archives - Healthhype

Abscess in the Appendix – Symptoms, Diagnosis and Treatment

Dr. Greg — Mon, 11 Apr 2011 23:50:56 +0000

An appendicular abscess (abscess in the appendix) is a complication of acute appendicitis – invasion of the appendix of the large intestine by bacteria usually due to an obstruction. The appendix exists at the junction of the small and large intestine and is exposed to the movement of digested food, waste matter and is teeming with bacteria. It is therefore prone to becoming blocked and coupled with an infection, acute appendicitis can even be life threatening. An abscess is not the only possible complication. Other complications include gangrene, appendicular masses, rupture and general peritoneal infections. These complications associated with appendicitis is more likely to occur in a patient who delays in seeking medical attention. What is an appendicular abscess? An appendicular abscess is a collection of pus resulting from perforation or rupture of acutely inflamed appendix. The pus remains localized close to the appendix, because it is walled off by adhesions formed by the surrounding abdominal structures. This prevents the pus from leaking and the infection spreading throughout the peritoneal cavity. How doe an appendicular abscess forms? When the appendix become inflamed (appendicitis), complications arise if the infection is not treated promptly. In some patients, appendicitis can lead to gangrene [...]

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Warning Signs Of A Dangerous Burst Appendix

Dr. Chris — Sun, 09 Jun 2013 23:09:25 +0000

Appendicitis is a condition that can affect any person at any time. In fact it is one of the most common causes of abdominal pain and removal of the appendix is one of the more common abdominal surgeries performed in the United States. Appendicitis is often thought of as a condition of childhood but this is untrue. It affects teenagers and young adults more commonly. However, serious complications of appendicitis are more likely to occur in younger children. The main complications occur when the appendix bursts (ruptured/perforated appendix). It is important to understand some basic points about appendicitis. The vermiform appendix as it is more correctly known is a long pouch that extends from the cecum. Therefore the appendix is also known as cecal appendix. The cecum is the first part of the colon located at the lower right side of the abdomen. Appendicitis is a condition where the appendix is inflamed. It usually happens when the opening of the pouch becomes obstructed or if the appendix becomes infected. Appendicitis is treated by surgically removing it. Even if the appendix is found to be normal during surgery, it is still removed. Non-surgical treatment is only considered when suitable facilities and [...]

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Appendicitis (Inflamed Appendix) Causes, Symptoms, Treatment

Dr. Chris — Thu, 11 Feb 2016 23:08:04 +0000

Lower right side pain may be due to a host of causes but appendicitis is often suspected with severe pain in this quadrant. It can be a serious and even life-threatening condition that required emergency medical attention. Surgery is often performed to remove the appendix. Although death from appendicitis is rare these days, it is nevertheless a possibility and appendicitis should always be treated as a medical emergency. What is appendicitis? Appendicitis is the medical term for inflammation of the vermiform appendix, the tube-like projection from the cecum of large intestine. It is usually arises with a blockage that allows bacteria within the appendix to multiply and infect it. If left untreated, the appendix can rupture and the infection may then spread in the abdominal cavity. Therefore appendicitis is treated as a medical emergency can can be life-threatening. There are about 250,000 cases of appendicitis reported every year in the United States. It tends to be slightly more common in teens and young adults, with men more commonly affected than women. However, appendicitis can also occur in childhood and even in senior citizens although it is quite uncommon in the latter group. Surgery is required to remove the appendix. Causes [...]

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7 Signs of Appendicitis and Appendix Medical Emergency

Dr. Chris — Wed, 26 Oct 2016 23:19:59 +0000

Appendicitis affects about 7% of the American population at some point in their life with about 250,000 new cases occurring every year. It tends to occur in teens and young adults more often than in children and older adults. Overall men are slightly more at risk than women are of dveloping appendicitis. Appendicitis can lead to serious complications and without medical intervention this can even turn deadly. Therefore spotting appendicitis as quickly as possible is essential. The appendix, more correcly known as the vermiform appendix, is an elongated tube-like pouch from the cecum of the large intestine. It only has an opening at one end, at the point where it extends from the cecum. It appears that the appendix serves as a reservoir for the bacteria that are a part of the normal intestinal flora (“good bowel bacteria”) among other functions. Appendicitis simple means inflammation of the appendix. It arises when there is a blockage in the appendix and bacteria multiply rapidly to then infect it. The appendix fills up with pus and swells. If it is not treated, it can eventually rupture (burst) which can be dangerous. Treatment for appendicitis requires surgical removal of an appendix (appendectomy). Read more [...]

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