The appendix is a thin, finger-like pouch that sticks out from the caecum, a part of the large intestine located in the lower right side of the abdomen. While its exact purpose in humans is still unclear, it’s believed to play a role in digestion for some animals.
What Is Appendicitis?
Appendicitis is the inflammation of the appendix. It happens when the appendix becomes blocked—often by food particles or stool—leading to bacterial infection. This condition is a medical emergency. If the appendix bursts, the infection can spread across the abdominal cavity, causing peritonitis—a life-threatening condition.
Appendicitis can affect anyone, but it is more common in children and teenagers, and less common in people over 30.
Symptoms of Appendicitis
Common signs and symptoms include:
Dull pain near the belly button that moves to the lower right side
Sharp, worsening pain in that area
Fever
Vomiting
Loss of appetite
Diarrhoea or constipation
Pain in the lower back, legs, or rectum (less common)
What Causes Appendicitis?
The exact cause isn’t always clear. Some cases show blockage in the appendix, while others do not. Often, small amounts of stool are found inside during surgery. There’s no strong evidence linking diet to appendicitis.
Some people may experience mild or previous episodes of appendicitis without realizing it.
What Happens If the Appendix Bursts?
If the infected appendix fills with pus and isn’t treated in time, it can burst within 36 hours of symptom onset. Signs of a ruptured appendix include:
Sudden worsening of symptoms
Collapse or extreme weakness
This leads to peritonitis, which requires immediate emergency care.
Diagnosing Appendicitis
Because appendicitis can resemble other conditions (like gastroenteritis, urinary infections, ectopic pregnancy, or chest infections), diagnosis may involve:
Physical examination
Blood and urine tests
Ultrasound or CT scan
Doctors often choose to perform surgery even if the diagnosis isn’t 100% confirmed, due to the risk of rupture.
Treatment for Appendicitis
1. Surgery (Appendicectomy or Appendectomy)
The standard treatment is surgical removal of the appendix. This is often done through laparoscopic (keyhole) surgery, using small incisions and a camera-guided tool called a laparoscope.
If keyhole surgery isn’t suitable, a small cut is made in the lower abdomen. If the appendix has burst, a drain is placed to remove pus, and antibiotics are given through a vein.
Hospital stay: Usually 3–5 days
Impact: Removing the appendix has no known effect on digestion.
2. Antibiotic Therapy
In some cases, especially where surgery isn’t safe (e.g., in frail patients), antibiotics may be used alone. About 70% of cases may recover without surgery. However, doctors can’t yet predict which patients will respond well to antibiotics, so surgery remains the preferred option for most.