Acute Appendicitis: What Is It and How Do Doctors Treat It?

Abstract

Acute appendicitis is the medical term for inflammation of the appendix, which is a tubular structure located at the beginning of the large intestine. Acute appendicitis is usually caused by a blockage of the appendix, increasing the pressure inside it and decreasing its blood supply. Acute appendicitis is a very common disease, mostly affecting people 10–20 years old. The usual symptoms are abdominal pain, located at the center of the abdomen and moving to the lower right quadrant, accompanied by fever and loss of appetite. The best available treatment is surgery to remove the appendix. Surgery can be done in a way that leaves only a small scar. The patient is usually discharged from the hospital 2–3 days after surgery, and most people have a full and fast recovery.