Everything About Appendix
The most common symptom of an appendix burst is severe abdominal pain. It may spread to the back and even the upper thighs if the appendix has a prolapsed margin. The pain can radiate up to the neck and jaw, causing nausea and vomiting. If your appendix has an inflamed margin, it will be more likely to rupture, leading to a bleeding infection. This can occur either during the appendectomy (the removal of the appendix), or immediately after surgery.
Your doctor might recommend surgery to stop the bleeding, or to stop the appendix bursts before they happen. The risk of complications from surgery is usually fairly small, especially if you have an abdominal x-ray before the surgery. In many cases, your doctor will treat the symptoms with a combination of antibiotics and surgery to fully heal the ruptured appendix. Depending on how far gone the inflammation is, your doctor might choose to remove some of the appendix. This is called a micro-abdomen. In some patients, no immediate surgery is needed, but if the inflammation persists or gets worse you will probably need to undergo surgery.
There are several possibilities as to what might cause appendix bursts. In some cases, the inflammation is caused when an object stimulates the production of digestive acid. Passing gas can often set off the inflammation. Other causes can include food sticking to the stomach or swallowing the air that escapes through the opening while vomiting. Sometimes passing gas is a natural occurrence, but in other cases the stomach produces excess pressure and the result is an explosion of belching that can lead to a rupture.
Appendix Bursts
Another possibility for appendix bursts involves the development of a perforated ulcer at the base of the appendix. The ulcer develops when a hair-thin layer of tissue called the epiplankton becomes damaged. When this happens, the ulcer can start to leak. A medical emergency may develop if the contents of the ulcer get swallowed. If the contents reach the lungs, they can cause an obstruction and result in a medical emergency.
Appendix Symptoms
Other very common symptoms include diarrhea, blood in the stool, and severe abdomen pain. These symptoms generally occur in roughly equal proportions. Less commonly, people can experience stomach cramps and a feeling of fullness. If the person experiences one or more of these symptoms combined, they should see a physician immediately because it could be the beginning of an appendicitis attack.
If an appendix rupture does occur, medical attention is mandatory. The contents of the appendix can go into the abdominal cavity and cause a massive infection if left untreated. If you have any questions about your health, make sure you consult with your primary care physician first. They will be able to refer you to an experienced surgeon for proper treatment.