Appendicitis - causes, symptoms & treatment

Appendicitis is an acute or chronic inflammation of the appendix, a small appendage of the cecum.

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Appendicitis is an acute or chronic inflammation of the appendix, a small appendage of the appendix.

Appendicitis often occurs suddenly and is one of the most common causes of acute abdominal pain requiring surgery. In most cases, the inflammation is caused by a blockage of the appendix, for example due to hardened stools, swollen lymphatic tissue or foreign bodies. This blockage causes bacteria to multiply, causing the appendix to become inflamed, swell and, in the worst case, burst and trigger life-threatening peritonitis.

Symptoms of appendicitis initially include diffuse abdominal pain, which usually shifts to the lower right abdomen within a few hours. Often there is also nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, fever and increased sensitivity to pain when pressure is applied to the right lower abdomen. In some cases, however, the symptoms can also be atypical, especially in children, older people or pregnant women.

After an appendectomy, a rapid recovery is common and those affected can return to light activities after just a few days. A high-fibre diet can be helpful to support intestinal health after the operation. Probiotics can help to rebalance the intestinal flora after antibiotic treatment.

To reduce the risk of appendicitis, a high-fibre diet with plenty of fruit, vegetables and wholemeal products can help as it aids digestion and reduces the risk of constipation, which is considered a possible trigger for appendicitis. Nevertheless, appendicitis cannot be prevented with certainty, as it often occurs spontaneously and without any recognisable cause.