[b]The truth about appendicitis[/b] I recently chanced upon an old friend who claimed to have had appendicitis when he jogged after breakfast. surprised as i was, i took this opportunity to explain to him basic facts about appendicitis. [b]Here are basic truths About the appendix and Appendicitis (AP)[/b] 1. The appendix HAS A Function. For years it has been perpetuated that the appendix doesn’t have one. However, for some time now it has been widely recognized among medical professionals that the appendix is important for the production of immunoglobulin (antibodies)!! and possibly acts as a store house for bacteria important for normal digestion! 2. The pain that you feel when you move around after eating isn’t appendicitis. Its actually caused by inadequate blood flow to the stomach and intestine. After eating, blood flow is diverted to the splanchnic circulation (the part of the circulatory system that supplies blood to the gastrointestinal tract) so that food can be properly digested and absorbed. When we move around after eating, we are using muscles that in effect divert blood away from the gastrointestinal tract of the blood thus causing abdominal pain! 3. Appendicitis is when the appendix becomes swollen (inflammed) The most common cause of appendicitis is when undigested food blocks the opening of the appendix. This is known as a fecalith obstruction. Unlike the rest of Gastrointestinal tract, the appendix is a sac with only 1 opening. A block in that opening, allows the normal secretions of the cells lining the appendix to collect in this closed sac, increasing the pressure inside the appendix eventually causing congestion , poor blood and lymphatic flow and, if let alone, rupture of the appendix. Furthermore, The obstruction allows bacteria commonly found in the GI tract to multiply thus causing an infection. [b]The Signs, symptoms and Clinical course of appendicitis[/b] A patient with appendicitis will usually INITIALLY have fever, nausea and vomiting, loss of appetite and abdominal pain around the navel (periumbilical) or above it but below the ribs (epigastric). Given a few hours, the pain will literally move from this position to the right lower quadrant of the abdomen (note: divide the abdomen into 4 areas by placing a cross with the center of the cross at the navel) at the same time increasing in severity [b]Diagnostics[/b] Because of how the pain moves from one place to another, the diagnosis of AP is usually done based on its clinical presentation. However, is some cases the clinical presentation may be different. In this case either r a compression graded ultrasound or a CT Scan may be requested to confirm the diagnosis [b]Treatment[/b] There is no other treatment for AP other than appendectomy In cases of suspected AP, don’t be surprised if no pain relievers are given. this is because pain is the symptom used to assess the progression of the disease. Taking pain meds may mask the pain thus may lead to a faulty diagnosis. ([i]reference: Schwartz Principles of Surgery[/i])