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The appendix is a narrow pouch found attached to the intestines. It is a finger shaped organ, which is found in the lower area of the abdomen in the lower right. When this organ is blocked, then it swells and brings about the condition called appendicitis. The blockage continues and bacteria attack the swollen tissue and die because of the lack of blood supply to this place. This eventually leads to the appendix rupturing. This is a perforated or a ruptured appendix. Appendicitis is the most common pediatric illness that is considered an emergency.
Appendicitis occurs when the intestinal organ is blocked. However, the causes of appendicitis are still not clear. There are many reasons for the causes of appendicitis observed in individuals. They are:
- When the fecal material obstructs the appendix: The fecal matter gets accumulated in the digestive tubes and the matter is expelled out. Sometimes in the process of digestion, the fecal matter tends to block the appendix inadvertently. Thus fecal matter is one of the causes of appendicitis.
- Bacteria: Bacteria and other microorganism sometimes multiply in the appendix and invade the organ. At such times, the appendix gets swollen and finally leads to the formation of pus. Pus is a fluid formed in the tissues that are infected. The pus contains the white blood corpuscles and the debris caused by the death of the cells. Sometimes, when this condition is neglected then the appendix ruptures. At such times, the patient could die. Thus the presence of bacteria could be one of the causes for appendicitis affecting the tissues in the appendix.
- Crohn’s disease: Crohn’s disease is a disease which leads to a lot of inflammation in the digestive tract. This is also known as the gastro intestinal tract or the GI tract. This tract extends from the mouth to the anus. The Crohn’s disease affects any area of the gastro intestinal tract but predominantly it affects the lower part of the intestinal tract. This lower part is called the ileum. When the inflammation occurs, it could affect the inner lining of the organ that has been affected. The swelling leads to a lot of pain and becomes one of the regular causes for appendicitis .Thus when Crohn’s disease affects the appendix, it is difficult to stop the entire tract from getting affected.
- Traumatic injury to the abdomen: The appendix is situated in the base of the intestine. Various kinds of trauma to the abdomen could be the causes for appendicitis. This trauma causes an inflammation of the appendix. The appendix gets inflamed when there is a block. It this is left untreated, then the appendix gets ruptured. The appendix cannot have any kind of blockage and care should always be taken.
- After The Rupture
• Peritonitis: Eventually, when the appendix ruptures, then the bacteria get spilled on to the outside into the cavity of the abdomen. This causes a condition called peritonitis. Peritoneum is a membrane that is found lining the abdominal cavity and the viscera. Peritonitis could be in one particular area or may be spread over. Peritonitis often happens when an organ in the body ruptures. This organ is normally a hollow organ. Peritonitis is one of the causes for appendicitis to occur
• Infertility: The appendix ruptures and causes an abscess to develop. This abscess is a pocket of infection filled with pus. It is seen that in such conditions, the ovaries and the fallopian tubes get infected. The fallopian tubes get blocked and this later leads to infertility.
• Sepsis: A ruptured appendix happens when the organ is unable to hold the contents and the infection within. It ruptures and sometimes causes a life-threatening condition. Sepsis is a medical condition that happens when the whole body gets inflamed. This potentially grave and fatal medical condition occurs when there is an infection in the body and it shows an SIRS or a systemic inflammatory response syndrome. The body develops this kind of inflammatory reaction because of the microbes in the blood, urine, lungs, and other tissues. Sepsis is also known as blood poisoning. Severe sepsis is said to occur when there is a systemic inflammatory response, infection and there is an organ that doesn’t totally function.
• Lymphoid hyperplasia: Lymphocytes are normal cells in the lymph nodes. Sometimes there is an inflammation of the lymph nodes. This happens due to the sudden increase in lymphocytes. This prevents the bacteria from entering the blood stream. The lymph nodes swell because of the inflamed appendix.
