By: Chelsea Jun, Mimi Tse, Serena Wu and Sushmita Saha

Appendicitis

Where is the appendix located in the body?

• The appendix is a fingerlike pouch attached to the large intestine and located in the lower right area of the abdomen.

• It is found at the point where your small

intestine and large intestine join.

What is the function of the appendix?

• There is no clear purpose of the appendix.

• The researchers say it acts as a safe house for good bacteria that aids in the digestion of food.

• The abdominal pain usuallyo occurs suddenly, often causing a person to wake up at nighto Occurs before other symptomso begins near the belly button and then moves lower and to

the righto is new and unlike any pain felt beforeo gets worse in a matter of hourso gets worse when moving around, taking deep breaths,

coughing, or sneezing

• The main symptom of appendicitis is abdominal pain.

Symptoms of appendicitis

Symptoms vary and can mimic other sources of abdominal pain, including:•intestinal obstruction•inflammatory bowel disease•pelvic inflammatory disease and other gynecological disorders•intestinal adhesions•constipation

Symptoms cont.

How is the appendix removed?

• Surgical removal of the appendix

How is appendicitis diagnosed?

• Physical and rectal examination• Blood tests

o Signs of infectiono High white blood count: may point to appendicitis

• Urine testo Check for urinary tract infectiono Urinalysis may help to rule out the infection that can mimic

appendicitis• Chest x-rays

o Pneumonia in the lower right lung can cause pain similar to appendicitis

• Ultrasoundo Inflamed appendix

Diagnosis cont.

• Diagnosis of appendicitis are usually taken immediately to surgery o Laparotomy: surgical exploration of the abdomeno To confirm the diagnosis

• Diagnosis is not certain until an operation is done• To avoid a ruptured appendix, surgery may be

recommended without delay if the symptoms point clearly to appendicitis o If the symptoms are not clear, surgery may be

postponed until they progress enough to confirm a diagnosis.

Diagnosis cont.

• A normal appendix is discovered in about 10-20% of patients who undergo laparotomy, because of suspected appendicitis o Sometimes the surgeon will remove a normal

appendix as a safeguard against appendicitis in the future.

o . During the surgery, another specific cause for the pain and symptoms of appendicitis is found for about 30% of these patients.

Risks for any anesthesia include the following:•Reactions to medications•Problems breathing

Risks for any surgery include the following:•Bleeding•Infection

Additional risks with an appendectomy with ruptured appendix include the following:•Longer hospital stays•Side effects from medications

Symptoms of Appendectomy

How can appendicitis be prevented?

• No way to prevent appendicitis

• However, appendicitis is less common in people who eat foods high in fiber

• http://wiki.medpedia.com/Appendectomy• http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/

appendicitis/• http://www.doctorsecrets.com/your-surgery/

appendicitis-picture.gif• http://www.mamashealth.com/organs/appendix.asp• http://digestive-disorders.health-cares.net/

appendicitis-diagnosis.php

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