Pathophysiology: Appendicitis
Appendicitis
Valerie Guidone
Helene Fuld College of Nursing
Pathophysiology
March 20, 2014
Appendicitis
The appendix is small close-ended narrow tube that attaches to the first part of the colon, also known as the cecum. It is located in the lower right part of your abdomen. Although medical researchers know where the appendix is, the purpose it serves in our body is still unknown because the removal causes no noticeable symptoms (Mohan, 2010). Appendicitis is defined as the inflammation of the appendix. It is a condition in which your appendix becomes inflamed and filled with pus ("Appendicitis," 2009). There are many possible causes of appendicitis such as; blockage of the appendix due to swelling of the lymphatic tissue, buildup of mucus or stool entering the appendix, or bacteria …show more content…
Perforation is due to delay in diagnosis and treatment. It can lead to a periappendiceal abscess which is a collected of infected pus in the appendix. This is the main reason of why when a patient is diagnosed with appendicitis, surgery is done as soon as possible. Another complication is when blockage of the intestine occurs due to inflammation surrounding the appendix, causing the intestinal muscles to stop working (Mohan, 2010). The intestines above the point of blockage fill with liquid and gas which causes nausea and vomiting. If severely blocked, it may be necessary for doctors to drain the contents of the intestine through a tube. The most serious complication of appendicitis is sepsis, which is a condition where infecting bacteria enter the blood and travel to other parts of the body ("Appendicitis," 2009). This is life threatening and a very serious complication. People developing symptoms of appendicitis need to be rushed to the hospital before it bursts to prevent complications like these from occurring (Mohan,
Valerie Guidone
Helene Fuld College of Nursing
Pathophysiology
March 20, 2014
Appendicitis
The appendix is small close-ended narrow tube that attaches to the first part of the colon, also known as the cecum. It is located in the lower right part of your abdomen. Although medical researchers know where the appendix is, the purpose it serves in our body is still unknown because the removal causes no noticeable symptoms (Mohan, 2010). Appendicitis is defined as the inflammation of the appendix. It is a condition in which your appendix becomes inflamed and filled with pus ("Appendicitis," 2009). There are many possible causes of appendicitis such as; blockage of the appendix due to swelling of the lymphatic tissue, buildup of mucus or stool entering the appendix, or bacteria …show more content…
Perforation is due to delay in diagnosis and treatment. It can lead to a periappendiceal abscess which is a collected of infected pus in the appendix. This is the main reason of why when a patient is diagnosed with appendicitis, surgery is done as soon as possible. Another complication is when blockage of the intestine occurs due to inflammation surrounding the appendix, causing the intestinal muscles to stop working (Mohan, 2010). The intestines above the point of blockage fill with liquid and gas which causes nausea and vomiting. If severely blocked, it may be necessary for doctors to drain the contents of the intestine through a tube. The most serious complication of appendicitis is sepsis, which is a condition where infecting bacteria enter the blood and travel to other parts of the body ("Appendicitis," 2009). This is life threatening and a very serious complication. People developing symptoms of appendicitis need to be rushed to the hospital before it bursts to prevent complications like these from occurring (Mohan,