The appendix is a small tube of tissue that extends from the large intestine and is located on the right side of your body. Appendicitis implies the inflammation of the appendix. Appendicitis is a medical emergency and almost always requires surgical removal of the appendix as soon as possible to delay further complications. People live a normal life without their appendix. In the United States, 1 in 20 people will develop appendicitis at some point in their lives. Although it can occur at any age, appendicitis is rare in children younger than 2 years old. It is most commonly found in people between the ages of 10 and 30.
Appendicitis occurs when the appendix becomes blocked, most commonly by stool, foreign objects or cancer. Blockage can also be caused by infection, as the appendix can swell due to an infection in the body.
Pathophysiology of Appendicitis
It is reported that appendicitis is caused by obstruction of the lumen of the appendix caused by various reasons. Regardless of the cause, it is believed that the obstruction will cause the pressure in the lumen to increase. This increase is related to the continuous secretion of fluid and mucus by the mucous membrane and the stagnation of this substance. At the same time, the intestinal bacteria in the appendix multiply, leading to formation of pus, which leads to an increase in intraluminal pressure.