{"id":8656,"date":"2019-08-01T14:09:49","date_gmt":"2019-08-01T14:09:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.io\/?p=8656"},"modified":"2021-06-17T18:50:14","modified_gmt":"2021-06-17T18:50:14","slug":"14-most-common-causes-of-appendicitis","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.io\/14-most-common-causes-of-appendicitis\/","title":{"rendered":"14 Most Common Causes of Appendicitis"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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The appendix is located near the large intestine and is a small pouch that is quite thin and about five to ten cm long. The role of the appendix is uncertain. There are theories that suggest that it is a vestigial organ. This simply means that it may be an organ that is simply leftover after evolution and that it does not play an important role today. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another theory is that the appendix may play a role in nurturing and cultivating beneficial bacteria that serves an important function in the body such as fighting off bad bacteria. It may also produce digestive enzymes and hormones that are quite useful. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even though the true function is questionable, it is known that the appendix can be removed without causing any type of harm to a person. Here are 8 of the most common causes of appendicitis. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Constipation<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The blockage is one of the main causes of appendicitis<\/a>. Most of the time, a blockage is caused by feces. This suggests that there is a connection of appendicitis with constipation. However, appendicitis is caused by the appendix being inflamed. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the appendix is inflamed it may lead to a person developing constipation as it could prevent feces from passing through to the intestines. The stool may then build up in the system. There are several things that you can do in order to improve constipation. A warm compress can be used on your abdomen to help relax the muscles. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This will help allow the stool to pass as the muscles become relaxed and open up. It is also important to drink a lot of water to help loosen up your stool. Increasing your intake of fiber can also help relieve the symptoms of constipation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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2. Diarrhea<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

As previously stated appendicitis can cause a person to develop constipation or possibly constipation can cause appendicitis. On the other hand, appendicitis may cause a person to develop diarrhea<\/a>. This condition may occur as the body is trying to rid itself of any issues and to help solve whatever problem is affecting the appendix. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

You may find that you have to go to the toilet quite often and that when you go the stool is extremely soft and comes out quickly. As with constipation, one of the best things that you can do if you have diarrhea is to make sure that you are drinking plenty of water.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is in order to prevent dehydration. It is also important to eat solid food that can help create bulk for your stool. If you have some of the other symptoms on this list as well, go to your doctor as soon as possible as appendicitis may be the cause. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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3. Dehydration<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Dehydration <\/a>is caused by expelling more fluids than you are taking in. As mentioned, if you are suffering from appendicitis you may not feel very hungry, which means that you are not eating as much food. In addition, if you have diarrhea or are nausea and vomiting, you may not want to take in any fluids or solid food. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

When you are not taking enough of these things in, you may end up being dehydrated. When you become dehydrated, your blood pressure may drop and you may feel even worse. If you start to feel quite weak, make sure that you try to drink as much water as you can. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

You will also want to make sure that you go to your doctor so that the cause of your dehydration can be determined. Your doctor will also be able to tell you if your appendix is the cause for you feeling dehydrated. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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4. Infections<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Many people develop an infection <\/a>in their gastrointestinal tract. In fact, an infection can really start anywhere in the body. As the infection spreads it can cause all types of symptoms depending on the type of infection that the person has. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If a person has developed an infection in the gastrointestinal tract or an infection in another area of the body, it can cause the tissue located inside of the appendix to become enlarged. As these tissues become enlarged, it can cause damage to the appendix. If the infection is not taken care of, it may end up causing the appendix to burst. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If the appendix bursts, it can cause havoc throughout the body as this poison begins to spread. If you are having any type of symptom of appendicitis it is important to make sure that you see a doctor right away. Removing the appendix before it bursts is really important as this type of surgery can go from a short recovery to a long term stay in the hospital if it is left too long. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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5. Inflammatory Bowel Disease<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Inflammatory bowel disease<\/a> is a blanket term for any type of disorder that involves chronic inflammation in the digestive tract. Some types of inflammatory bowel disease include ulcerative colitis in which there are long-lasting sores and inflammation located in the rectum and the innermost lining of the large intestine, or colon. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Crohn\u2019s disease is a type of inflammatory bowel disease that involves the inflammation of the lining in your digestive tract. This often will spread deep inside the tissues. Both of these types of inflammatory bowel disease will typically involve abdominal pain, weight loss, fatigue, and diarrhea. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In addition, a person who is suffering from inflammatory bowel disease has a higher risk of developing appendicitis. This is because the inflammation from the disease can spread to the appendix. When the appendix is inflamed it can cause many health issues and may end up needing to be removed before it bursts. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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6. Parasites<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Another probable cause for appendicitis is a parasitic infection. While parasites <\/a>are not often the cause of appendicitis, they have been found to cause this inflammation in some patients. An intestinal parasite will typically stay in the abdominal area and will not often spread to infect the appendix. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, some small parasites could be the cause of appendicitis, which is why it should not be ignored. Any type of parasite that is found in the gastrointestinal tract can lead to the appendix becoming inflamed. If you suffer from abdominal pain and you have been diagnosed with a parasitic infection, there is a chance that appendicitis may develop. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is important that you make sure that you treat your parasitic infection as soon as possible so that it does not spread throughout the rest of your body. Your doctor will be able to determine the cause of the infection so that proper treatment can be started. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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7. Tumor<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If a tumor <\/a>develops in the abdominal region it can put pressure on all areas of the abdomen. This includes the appendix. While the pain from appendicitis is typically located on the right side of the stomach and can spread towards the center, if there is a tumor that has developed in the abdomen it can cause pain throughout the entire area. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you are experiencing chronic abdominal pain that you cannot explain it is important to make sure that you visit your doctor right away. Your doctor may order an ultrasound in order to determine the underlying cause of your pain. It is important to find out what is causing you to feel this pain so that a proper diagnosis and treatment plan can be started. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If the tumor is putting pressure on the appendix, it may cause the appendix to burst. This can lead to many other complications. The earlier that this is detected the better. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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8. Abdominal Trauma<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Getting hit in the abdominal area can cause many different issues. There are many ways that a person may experience blunt force trauma <\/a>to the abdomen. It could be from a car accident, a fall, or a sporting accident. No matter how the trauma occurred, it can cause a person to experience a lot of pain. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If the area of the abdomen near the appendix is hit with any type of blunt force trauma, it can cause the appendix to become inflamed. This inflammation can lead to the appendix causing even more pain. If the inflammation does not go down over time, it can cause the appendix to rupture. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you have had any type of blunt force trauma to the abdominal area and the pain does not go away within a day or two, it is important to be checked by a doctor to determine the underlying cause. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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9. Cancer<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

One of the attributing factors to the cause of appendicitis Is cancer. Liver cancer is one of the most aggressive forms of the disease, and it can cause numerous complications with other organs within the body. Patients with liver cancer typically notice the onset of a fatty liver before the condition changes into a more severe form of the disease, known as cirrhosis<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cirrhosis leads to scarring of the liver, reducing its function as well as minimizing the regenerative capabilities of the organ. Cirrhosis places the liver in a compromised position and may lead to the onset of liver cancer in some individuals. Liver cancer has devastating effects on the body as the liver is one of the body’s primary filter systems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a result, it may cause blockages in the tubes that lead from the liver to the intestines, resulting in a backup of material in the appendix. As a result, the patient may start noticing the signs and symptoms of appendicitis. If you’re dealing with any form of liver disease, then you must monitor yourself for any signs of appendicitis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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10. Inflammation<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Medical science now understands the role of inflammation <\/a>and how it affects every system and organ within the body.\u00a0Inflammation is vital to help the body rid itself of disease. When a pathogen such as a virus or bacteria enters the body, the brain signals for the creation of inflammation to provide the pathogen with a hostile environment, and limit its replication in the body.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, when inflammation becomes extensive and hangs around for extended periods, it leads to the onset of inflammatory disease. There are various types of inflammatory diseases that affect every single system in the body. When inflammation enters the gastrointestinal tract due to eating poor food choices rich in refined carbohydrates, it launches an expansion of the intestinal wall, allowing the inflammatory particles to escape to other organs in the body.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Should these inflammatory particles start to attack the appendix, it may result in the onset of appendicitis, and the patient will begin to notice the symptoms associated with the disease.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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11. Enlarged Lymphoid Follicles<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The body is a network of lymph nodes the shuttle toxins accumulated by the lymphatic system<\/a> towards filtration units that remove the hazardous material from lymph fluid. The places in the body with the highest concentration of lymph nodes are around the neck, groin, and the armpits. It’s for this reason that doctors will check your neck for swelling when they think you are sick.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the lymph nodes swell, you will notice pea-size lumps begin to develop around the groin or under the arms, and your neck may also start to grow in response to the inflammation. In most cases, swollen lymph nodes subside within a few days after the body begins to manage the effects of the disease and starts to recover.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, in some cases, the lymph nodes may not subside entering a chronic phase where they start to lose the ability to filter toxins from the lymphatic fluid. As a result, the affected individual may begin to experience the onset of appendicitis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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12. Enema<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

People who are suffering from constipation may use an enema administration, as a technique to eliminate stool from the bowels. This liquid treatment involves sending distilled water through the colon and intestines in an attempt to remove the blockage causing constipation<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While constipation is typically one of the primary causes of appendicitis, the use of enema to remove the blockage causing the illness is also another cause of the condition. An enema places tremendous pressure on the gastrointestinal system and may cause a blockage of the appendix resulting in appendicitis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Always make sure that you have an enema in the presence of a medical professional. Avoid clinics that promise colonics but do not use qualified assistants to administer the technique. If you notice any symptoms of appendicitis after receiving an enema, you must visit the emergency room immediately. Failing to take immediate action could result in the bursting of the appendix, and the onset of septicemia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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13. Laxatives<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Many of the complications that involve the onset of appendicitis occur due to constipation.\u00a0When people are constipated, they typically turn to laxatives <\/a>to help them provide relief from the situation. There are many different types of laxatives available over the counter, and some of them may be stronger than others with their effects on the bowels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

People who take laxatives to cure their constipation may be at risk of damaging the gastrointestinal system. This damage can lead to a blockage that may cause the onset of appendicitis. When stool backs up in the bowels, it causes blockages on many of the openings to the gastrointestinal system from other organs. As a result, it may cause inflammation in these organs, particularly the appendix.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you notice the sudden pain occurs after the laxative provides relief from the constipation symptoms, then you should seek immediate medical treatment for assessment of your situation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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14. Risk Factors<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

There is a set of risk factors<\/a> that may lead to the onset of appendicitis in specific individuals. If you find yourself mentioned in any of the high-risk groups below, take the precautionary steps necessary to prevent the onset of appendicitis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Most cases of appendicitis occur in individuals that are between the age of 10 and 30-years old. Appendicitis is also the most common cause of acute abdominal pain in Americans. People have a 5 to 20-percent chance of incurring the condition during their lifetime.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The most common causes of appendicitis in adults includes individuals that abuse steroids. In many cases, steroids administered orally cause the onset of gastrointestinal problems, as well as issues with the liver and kidneys. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

People with diabetes are also at a higher risk of developing appendicitis, as are those individuals that are dealing with the onset of COPD.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Male children born with cystic fibrosis are at a higher risk of developing appendicitis as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\r\n

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