What You Need To Know About Appendicitis
Appendicitis is an inflammation of the appendix, a tube of tissue that extends from the large intestine. No one is absolutely certain what the function of the appendix is. One thing we do know is that we can live without it without any consequences. Appendicitis is a medical emergency that requires prompt surgery to remove the appendix. Left untreated, an inflamed appendix will eventually burst, or perforate, spilling infectious materials into the abdominal cavity. This can lead to peritonitis, a serious inflammation of the abdominal cavity’s lining (the peritoneum) that can be fatal unless it is treated quickly with strong antibiotics. Sometimes a pus-filled abscess (infection that is walled off from the rest of the body) forms outside the inflamed appendix. All cases of appendicitis are treated as emergencies, requiring surgery. Although it can strike at any age, appendicitis is rare under age 2 and most common between ages 10 and 30. Causes Appendicitis occurs when t...