WHILE Acute appendicitis is largely a disease of the younger population, with only 5% to 10% of cases occurring in the elderly, the prevalence of appendicitis in older people appears to be increasing as life expectancy increases. Appendicitis can also affect individuals of any age but is most common in young adults.
Older people may not have the same range of motion in their joints or the same muscle strength that they had when they were younger, which makes it easier for them to develop appendicitis. The most common symptom of acute appendicitis is pain in the right lower abdomen, brought on by nausea and vomiting. Other symptoms include loss of appetite, fever, chills, diarrhea, constipation, difficulty breathing, and confusion.
An individual who is 75 years old may not seem like they would be at risk for developing appendicitis, but the disease can occur for many reasons. First, the appendix grows larger over time due to repeated infections, and this enlarged gland can rupture. Enlarged glands are more likely to become infected because there is less room inside the body's sacs where the organs can move around. Also, the immune system naturally slows down as we get older, so patients aged 70 and older have a higher rate of appendiceal ruptures than those under 70.
Acute appendicitis in the elderly is a dangerous condition that need prompt diagnosis and treatment. Perforation of the appendix increases both mortality and morbidity. All senior individuals who arrive at the hospital complaining of stomach discomfort should be hospitalized and examined. If acute appendicitis is diagnosed, surgery must be performed immediately to prevent complications such as peritonitis or abscess formation.
The appendix is a pear-shaped sac like structure located near the lower end of the large intestine. It is about 5 inches long and can vary in diameter depending on its location within the abdomen. The outer wall of the appendix contains muscle tissue and the inner wall consists of a thick layer of mucous membrane covered by skin cells. The appendix has two main functions: it absorbs water and minerals from the food we eat and it produces mucus to protect the body against bacteria and chemicals in the digestive system.
The symptoms of acute appendicitis are severe abdominal pain, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. The pain usually starts in the lower right side of the abdomen and radiates to the back. Some people also have fever, chills, or fatigue. The cause of acute appendicitis is lack of movement due to prolonged stress or strain on the abdominal muscles, which causes inflammation of the appendix. This inflammation blocks the blood supply to part of the appendix causing cell death and leaving only the lining behind.
Surgery was performed at a much greater rate in patients aged 50 and older with acute abdominal discomfort. Fourteen percent of individuals experienced acute appendicitis (27 percent in younger patients), with a higher complication rate (20% vs. 8%) and death (3 percent vs. 0.2 percent ). Patients aged 50 and older were more likely to have gangrenous changes or perforation of the appendix, requiring surgery.
Women of childbearing age can develop appendicitis. The incidence increases after the age of 20 because of increased lymphocyte counts that reduce the immune response to infection. This disease is more common in people who use drugs or alcohol, especially if they are taking oral contraceptives. People who suffer from diabetes may be at greater risk for developing appendicitis. Those with chronic inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis or Crohn's disease are also at greater risk.
In conclusion, acute appendicitis is most commonly found in young adults but can occur at any age. It is more common in women than men and occurs more frequently after the age of 20. The disease is more likely to require surgery if it is not treated promptly; therefore, early diagnosis is important. Appendicitis should be included in the differential diagnosis of any patient with acute abdominal pain.
Appendicitis is also frequently misdiagnosed in the elderly because, even when the appendix is badly inflamed, pain is typically modest and patients do not have a temperature. In 40 to 75 percent of people over the age of 60, the appendix has ruptured by the time it is medically removed. Approximately 80,000 Americans per year require surgery for appendicitis; half are under the age of 18.
In children, the appendix serves as a storage tank for toxins produced by bacteria within the gut. Appendicitis occurs when these toxins trigger an inflammatory response that causes severe abdominal pain and increases blood clotting factors which may lead to infection if the appendix becomes ruptured.
In adults, acute appendicitis is most commonly caused by obstruction of the appendiceal lumen from fecaliths or mucus buildup. Other causes include inflammation due to bacterial infections, tumors, or autoimmune diseases. The incidence of appendicitis increases with age; approximately 90% of cases occur in individuals younger than 50 years old. In very old people (over 70 years old), acute appendicitis is less common but still occurs in about 10% of cases.
In general, acute appendicitis is diagnosed based on patient history and physical examination findings. Laboratory tests are usually not necessary to make the diagnosis. Ultrasound may be used to confirm the diagnosis before appending a tube into the abdomen to remove the appendix.
Copyright © 2020 - 2023 Stamina Comfort Inc.
