Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsCausesNot Your FaultRisk FactorsIs Appendicitis Genetic?How Common Is It?PreventionEarly Warning SignsNext in Appendicitis GuideTests for Appendicitis
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Causes
Not Your Fault
Risk Factors
Is Appendicitis Genetic?
How Common Is It?
Prevention
Early Warning Signs
Next in Appendicitis Guide
Appendicitisis inflammation of theappendix, a tube-shaped tissue attached to thelarge intestine. A blockage within the appendix resulting in inflammation is the primary cause ofappendicitis. Several factors, including impacted stool and swollen lymph nodes, can cause this blockage. Genetic factors may also contribute to appendicitis.
This article will explore the cause and potential risk factors of appendicitis. It will also discuss the early warning signs of appendicitis and the symptoms of a ruptured appendix.
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What Is the Main Cause of Appendicitis?
The main cause of appendicitis is an obstruction within the lumen of the appendix. The appendix lumen is the space inside of the appendix that connects to and empties into the large intestine.
Abdominal trauma (such as from an injury) has also been linked to appendicitis, although this is rare.Proposed mechanisms include direct compression of the appendix from the traumatic injury or obstruction from the blood pooling within the appendix.
Very rarely, ingesting fruit seeds,or swallowing foreign objects, like a piece of tongue-piercing jewelry, needle, screw, or pin,have been identified as causes of appendicitis.
You Didn’t Cause Your Appendicitis
Rest assured that it’s not your fault if you or your child develops appendicitis (with the extreme exception of purposefully ingesting a foreign object).
Even with increased tension, worry, or anxiety at school, work, or home, no proven evidence exists that acute stressors directly cause appendicitis.
Long-term stress may affect your gut health andimmune system functioning, theoretically increasing your risk for appendicitis.Still, this connection between chronic stress and appendicitis is not scientifically proven and needs further investigation.
The same ambiguity goes for diet. While research suggests a diet low in fiber may make a person more vulnerable to developing appendicitis, no direct link has been found.Further research is required.
Who Is at an Increased Risk of Getting Appendicitis?
Appendicitis is most common in people between 10 and 30 years old.
Appendicitis can occur in children, although it rarely occurs in babies and children younger than 5 years old. Appendicitis becomes more common in school-aged children, and occurrence peaks in the late teens.
Even though it’s not common, older adults can also develop appendicitis. That said, appendix rupture is more frequent in older individuals.
What Is a Ruptured Appendix?A ruptured appendix is when an inflamed and swollen appendix bursts open, leaking infectious fluid that collects around the intestinal area or spills deeper into the abdominal cavity.
What Is a Ruptured Appendix?
A ruptured appendix is when an inflamed and swollen appendix bursts open, leaking infectious fluid that collects around the intestinal area or spills deeper into the abdominal cavity.
Appendicitis happens slightly more often in males than females. A male in the United States has a lifetime risk for developing appendicitis of 8.6%, whereas a female’s lifetime risk is 6.7%.(Note that while Verywell Health aims to use inclusive language, when citing a health authority or research, the terms for sex or gender from that source are used.)
Besides age and sex, the following factors can possibly increase your risk of developing appendicitis:
Some studies have also found a higher incidence of appendicitis in the summer months. Experts suspect that warmer weather could increase a person’s risk fordehydration, a poorer diet, and exposure to infectious digestive illnesses (“stomach flu”), allergens, and air pollution.
Genetic factors may play a role in the development of appendicitis. Scientists are starting to explore and identify possible gene mutations (changes in DNA) that may be involved.
Older studies have found that a family history of acute appendicitis increased the odds of acute appendicitis twofold to threefold, including in children.
What Are Genes, DNA, and Chromosomes?
Is Appendicitis Rare or Common?
Appendicitis is one of the most common causes of acute (sudden and significant) abdominal pain in adults and children.
Every year in the United States, appendicitis is diagnosed in around 250,000 people.Moreover, appendicitis is also a worldwide health concern. In 2019, there were 17.7 million new cases of appendicitis globally.
All said, while appendicitis is a common cause of acute abdominal pain, many health conditions can mimic it. Examples includestomach fluanddiverticulitis(infection of a pouch in your colon lining).
Does Appendicitis Change Poop Color?
Preventing Appendicitis Isn’t Always in Your Control
There is no surefire way to prevent appendicitis.
Eating a fiber-rich diet may be a helpful preventive strategy, although experts aren’t sure why. Fiber-rich foods promote healthy gut bacteria, which might minimize appendix inflammation.
A high-fiber diet is rich in fruit and vegetables. Apples with skin, prunes, peas, and green beans are exceptionally high in fiber. Beans and breakfast cereals are other good fiber sources.
Early Warning Signs of Appendicitis
Abdominal pain is the most common early warning sign of appendicitis.
The pain is typically felt around the navel (belly button) before moving to the lower right side of the abdomen.
The movement of pain classically occurs over 12 to 24 hours. How badly it hurts will vary. The pain may be mild and intermittent to start before becoming sharp, severe, and constant.
Other appendicitis early warning symptoms include:
Seeking medical attention immediately if you are experiencing appendicitis symptoms is essential.
An inflamed appendix can rupture, generally within 48 to 72 hours after symptoms begin, although sometimes sooner.When the appendix ruptures, anabscess(pocket of pus/bacteria) orperitonitis(a life-threatening infection of the abdominal lining) may develop.
Symptoms of a Ruptured AppendixIf the appendix ruptures, symptoms can include:Severe, continuous abdominal painHigh fever and chillsSwollen bellyLight-headednessRapid heartbeat
Symptoms of a Ruptured Appendix
If the appendix ruptures, symptoms can include:Severe, continuous abdominal painHigh fever and chillsSwollen bellyLight-headednessRapid heartbeat
If the appendix ruptures, symptoms can include:
Understanding Chronic Appendicitis
Summary
The leading cause of appendicitis is a blockage within the appendix. Many factors, including impacted stool, swollen lymph nodes, foreign objects, or a digestive tract infection, may cause this blockage.
A family history of the disease can also increase your risk for appendicitis. While there is no definitive way to prevent appendicitis, prompt diagnosis and treatment can lower your risk for appendix rupture and complications.
19 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
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