Appendicitis Causes & Risks

Causes

Appendicitis usually occurs when the appendix becomes inflamed. This can be caused by something trapped in the appendix, such as:

A piece of dried stool
A piece of food
Tumors
Scar tissue
Worms
Barium after a diagnostic exam
Overgrowth of the lymph tissue of the appendix

The lining of the appendix continues to produce mucus, but it has no place to go. Bacteria normally found in the intestines multiply and make toxins in the lining of the appendix. Pressure builds and causes severe pain in the abdomen. The wall of the appendix can break open. If the appendix ruptures, its contents can spill into the abdominal cavity. This causes serious inflammation in the abdominal cavity called peritonitis , which can be fatal.

Risk Factors

These factors increase your chance of developing appendicitis:

Sex: male
Age: teen years
Family members who have had appendicitis

Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Copyright © 2012 EBSCO Publishing All rights reserved.

0 comments

Empowered

Appendicitis is defined as a swelling of the appendix, which is a little organ attached to the large intestine.

Appendicitis: Symptoms, Causes, Risks and Treatments
By EmpowHER on November 20, 2011 - 8:51am
0 comments

If you have a sharp, building pain in your abdomen and you’re not sure why, it wouldn’t be outlandish to think it’s appendicitis.

Knowing When Abdominal Pain is Appendicitis
By Deborah Ross HERWriter on September 5, 2011 - 8:00pm
1 comments

i was rushed into hospital and was told 4 weeks later that my appendix had ruptured. My bladder has swollen 4 times larger than is should be.

View Comments Alison Beaver commented 2 years ago.

I,m still having pains in my side 4 months after my appendix ruptured.
By Anonymous on February 23, 2010 - 10:25am
0 comments

We have all heard about, known someone or experienced the phenomenon of appendicitis.

Appendicitis
By Aimee Boyle on January 23, 2010 - 1:00pm