By: Chelsea Jun, Mimi Tse, Serena Wu and Sushmita Saha Appendicitis By: Chelsea Jun, Mimi Tse, Serena Wu and Sushmita Saha

Where is the appendix located in the body? The appendix is a fingerlike pouch attached to the large intestine and located in the lower right area of the abdomen. It is found at the point where your small intestine and large intestine join.

What is the function of the appendix? There is no clear purpose of the appendix. The researchers say it acts as a safe house for good bacteria that aids in the digestion of food.

Symptoms of appendicitis The main symptom of appendicitis is abdominal pain. The abdominal pain usually occurs suddenly, often causing a person to wake up at night Occurs before other symptoms begins near the belly button and then moves lower and to the right is new and unlike any pain felt before gets worse in a matter of hours gets worse when moving around, taking deep breaths, coughing, or sneezing

Symptoms cont. Symptoms vary and can mimic other sources of abdominal pain, including: intestinal obstruction inflammatory bowel disease pelvic inflammatory disease and other gynecological disorders intestinal adhesions constipation

How is the appendix removed? Surgical removal of the appendix

How is appendicitis diagnosed? Physical and rectal examination Blood tests Signs of infection High white blood count: may point to appendicitis Urine test Check for urinary tract infection Urinalysis may help to rule out the infection that can mimic appendicitis Chest x-rays Pneumonia in the lower right lung can cause pain similar to appendicitis Ultrasound Inflamed appendix

Diagnosis cont. Diagnosis of appendicitis are usually taken immediately to surgery Laparotomy: surgical exploration of the abdomen To confirm the diagnosis Diagnosis is not certain until an operation is done To avoid a ruptured appendix, surgery may be recommended without delay if the symptoms point clearly to appendicitis If the symptoms are not clear, surgery may be postponed until they progress enough to confirm a diagnosis.

Diagnosis cont. A normal appendix is discovered in about 10-20% of patients who undergo laparotomy, because of suspected appendicitis Sometimes the surgeon will remove a normal appendix as a safeguard against appendicitis in the future. . During the surgery, another specific cause for the pain and symptoms of appendicitis is found for about 30% of these patients.

Symptoms of Appendectomy Risks for any anesthesia include the following: Reactions to medications Problems breathing Risks for any surgery include the following: Bleeding Infection Additional risks with an appendectomy with ruptured appendix include the following: Longer hospital stays Side effects from medications

How can appendicitis be prevented? No way to prevent appendicitis However, appendicitis is less common in people who eat foods high in fiber

CITATIONS http://wiki.medpedia.com/Appendectomy http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/appendicitis/ http://www.doctorsecrets.com/your-surgery/appendicitis-picture.gif http://www.mamashealth.com/organs/appendix.asp http://digestive-disorders.health-cares.net/appendicitis-diagnosis.php