Signs of Ruptured Appendix: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment

The appendix is a small, finger-like structure attached to the initial part of the large intestine, also known as the colon. The appendix is located in the lower right quadrant of the abdomen, near where the small intestine attaches to the large intestine.

The function of the appendix in the human body is still unclear and debatable, some researchers think that it helps beneficial bacteria recolonize the gut after an infection while others think the appendix serves no useful purpose. But one thing is clear that removing the appendix through a surgery called appendectomy usually doesn’t cause any subsequent health issues as the appendix is a vestigial organ.

What is Appendicitis?

Appendicitis can be defined as the inflammation of the appendix. Appendicitis takes place when the appendix is filled with a liquid made up of dead cells and bacteria (Pus) or if there is an abdominal infection in the appendix, or if the area inside your Appendix gets blocked by an obstruction.

Appendicitis is marked by excruciating pain near the navel (belly button) and then shifts to the lower right quadrant of the abdomen, where the appendix is situated. The pain increases with movement, deep breaths, coughing, and sneezing. There are other symptoms of Appendicitis as well, such as Nausea, Vomiting, Constipation, Diarrhea, Inability to pass gas, Loss of appetite, Fever, Chills, and Abdominal swelling.

Diagnosis of appendicitis includes Physical tests by your doctor to assess the pain, blood tests, urine tests, and imaging tests such as MRI and CT scans. Appendicitis can be treated with a surgical procedure called the Appendectomy.

Causes of Ruptured Appendix

A ruptured appendix is the result of untreated appendicitis. If the surgeons don’t remove the appendix within 24 to 72 hours after symptoms begin then the Appendix can burst or rupture. It develops a small hole or tear, due to which its contents can leak out into the rest of the abdomen and cause other ailments like Peritonitis and Septicemia.

Due to infection or obstruction in the appendix, bacteria that live inside it can grow and increase exponentially. This results in inflammation of the appendix and landfills it with pus, a thick liquid with bacteria, dead tissues, and dead white cells.

The pressure inside your appendix quickly increases due to this infection and as the pressure increases, the rate of blood flow will decrease throughout the wall of the organ. This decreased blood flow does not allow enough blood to flow through the healthy cells that make up the tissue of the Appendix. Due to this, these tissues start to die.

The decrement of tissues will continue until the inner wall of the Appendix gets so thin and weak that it breaks open and allows pus with multiple bacteria from inside the appendix to leak out into the abdomen.

About 20% of people who have appendicitis can face the problem of ruptured appendix. Children aged less than 5 years have a higher risk of ruptured appendix because they may not be able to articulate their symptoms as clearly as adults.

The Symptoms of a Ruptured Appendix

You may feel a little better when the appendix ruptures as the original pain of appendicitis subsides. But it doesn’t last for long because a ruptured appendix can quickly aggravate other health issues. For example, Peritonitis is a result of a ruptured appendix. Peritonitis occurs when infectious liquids leak from a ruptured appendix. Due to this infectious liquid, the inner lining or wall of the abdomen gets inflamed. Symptoms of peritonitis usually include pain, rigid abdominal muscles, fever, tenderness, nausea, and vomiting. Septicemia is another major health condition that can be caused by a ruptured appendix. Septicemia can be defined as an infection of the blood due to the presence of harmful bacteria in the blood. Septicemia can damage multiple organs and sometimes can lead to death too. A ruptured appendix is a serious medical emergency and requires immediate medical attention.

If you have a ruptured appendix, you may experience symptoms similar to appendicitis, which includes excruciating Pain in your lower right abdomen, Diarrhea, Lack of appetite, Nausea (a feeling of sickness with an inclination to vomit), Vomiting, Fever, and Chills. You may also experience some symptoms that are not typically associated with appendicitis, such as weakness, chills, high fever, and a feeling of rectal fullness.

Treatment of Ruptured Appendix

The leakage of bacterial liquids inside the rest of the stomach can cause Peritonitis, a severe intestinal inflammation. In case of Peritonitis, doctors will immediately remove your appendix and clean the inside of your abdomen to stop and prevent infection.

Doctors sometimes try to treat peritonitis or abscess with antibiotics and drainage of pus before going for an appendectomy. Abscess makes it complicated for surgeons to perform surgery, so doctors may try to deal with abscess first if possible. But some research has proven that immediately removing the ruptured appendix by performing Emergency Appendectomy can result in faster recovery and fewer post-surgery complications, especially in children.

Appendectomy can be performed in both the open and laparoscopic methods. Laparoscopic appendectomy is being preferred by surgeons as it makes recovery shorter and faster. RG Stone and Laparoscopy Hospitals provide the best Appendectomy surgeries in Delhi. We follow all the necessary protocols and instructions to ensure the safe completion of Appendectomy for our patients. You can contact us on the given contact details for a free consultation regarding Appendectomy Surgery.