What is Appendix ?

Appendicitis (or epityphlitis) is an inflammation of the appendix that requires a medical emergency requiring the immediate removal of the organ before of its rupture. If ruptured, this will release toxins into the abdominal cavity causing a fatal infection. A patient ‘s life is at stake if the operation had not been taken within 24 hours. The surgical procedure for acute appendicitis is called Appendectomy sometimes called appendisectomy or appendicectomy.


What is Appendix?
The appendix (or vermiform or “worm-shaped” appendix), is a blind-ended tube connected to the cecum (or caecum), from which it develops embryologically. The cecum is a pouchlike structure of the colon. The appendix is located near the junction of the small intestine and the large intestine.


Causes and Symptoms of Appendicitis
Appendicitis begins when the opening from the appendix into the cecum becomes blocked due to hardened  rock-like stool thick mucus (fecalith) that enters the appendix from the cecum. The bacteria then will build-up or infect the wall of appendix. Other theories may cause also of the initial rupture of the appendix inside followed by spread of bacteria outside the appendix. Lack of fiber may also cause abnormal constipation.
Main symptom is abnominal pain and the abdominal wall becomes very sensitive to gentle pressure.

Appendicitis may be extremely difficult to diagnose in women of childbearing age, because symptoms of acute gynecologic conditions such as pelvic inflammatory disease, and preliminary abdominal pains may cause monthly menstrual period.  Other causes are loss of appetite ( which may lead to nausea and even vomiting), constipation and gas pain.