Appendicitis

Appendicitis is inflammation of the appendix.

Types of Appendicitis:

Acute Appendicitis became common in the 20th century (approx. the last 100 years), usually affecting young people, including children. Unusual positions of the appendix may result in pain at different locations, causing difficulty in diagnosis.

Chronic Appendicitis was a common diagnosis in the 1950s - 1970s to explain recurrent pains in the lower abdomen. Chronic appendicitis is rare and such pains are not usually cured by an appendicectomy.

Effects (incl. Symptoms):

• The first symptom is usually abdominal pain, initially central, then later (with tenderness) in the right-lower abdomen, over the appendix.
• Abdominal pain is sometimes accompanied by vomiting and diarrhea - though any fever is slight.

  If not treated by surgical removal (appendicectomy) of the appendix, appendicitis may progress to cause an abscess, or generalised peritonitis. Recurrent pains in the lower abdomen might also be expected.