The appendix is a small pouch of tissue attached to your colon on the right side of your abdomen. Appendicitis—inflammation of the appendix—causes sudden abdominal pain, which worsens when you cough or move suddenly. Other symptoms include nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, a low-grade fever, diarrhea, constipation, bloating, and flatulence. It’s often treated with abdominal surgery. Find out more about its causes and treatments in this guide.

A Brief Guide to Appendicitis

Causes

The exact cause of appendicitis is often unknown. Usually, a blockage inside the appendix, stemming from enlarged lymphoid follicles, hardened stools, intestinal worms, tumors, or an injury, leads to infection and inflammation. As bacteria multiply, the appendix swells, causing painful pressure in the abdomen.

Before abdominal surgery, your doctor will test for tenderness, swelling, and rigidity in your lower right abdomen. To rule out other potential explanations for your symptoms, follow-up may include blood work, urine analysis, a pregnancy test, pelvic examination, and abdominal or chest imaging.

Treatment

Doctors treat most cases of appendicitis with a type of abdominal surgery known as an appendectomy. An appendectomy involves completely removing your appendix as soon as possible before further complications arise. If left untreated, infection may spread to your abdominal cavity, abdominal lining, your bloodstream, and other organs. If your appendix ruptures, you may develop sepsis, a toxic and potentially life-threatening condition resulting from the spread of bacteria.

Residents of Mountain Home, AR, and surrounding communities trust the skilled surgeons at Ozark Surgical Group to perform a full spectrum of abdominal surgeries, including appendectomies and surgeries to remove diseased gallbladders. These reliable medical professionals strive to provide outstanding care to minimize recovery time and get you back on your feet as soon as possible. Find out more about their practice online, or make an appointment by calling (870) 425-9120.