Health encyclopaedia

Health encyclopaedia - Alphabetical Topic List

Causes of Appendicitis

It is not clear why appendicitis happens. It may be caused by bacteria from the intestine or by a blockage at the top of the appendix such as a hard lump of faeces or mucus or something that you have swallowed. Any blockage means that germs cannot get out into the caecum and the area gets swollen and irritated.

As a result of the swelling, the blood supply to the appendix may be cut off causing severe inflammation (swelling) and infection.

If the appendix ruptures (bursts) the infection may be released into the rest of the abdomen.

• AbortionAbscessAccident and emergency departmentsAccidents and first aidAccidents to children in the homeAcneAcoustic neuromaActinomycosisAcupunctureAddictionsAddison's diseaseAdenoids and adenoidectomyAgoraphobiaAir embolismAlcohol misuseAllergiesAltitude sicknessAlzheimer's diseaseAmbulance ServiceAmniocentesisAmniotomyAmoebiasisAnaemiaAnaesthesiaAnaesthetic, generalAnaesthetic, localAnal fissureAnal fistulaAnaphylaxisAndrogen insensitivity syndromeAneurysmAnginaAngioedemaAngiographyAnkylosing spondylitisAnorexia nervosaAntacid drugsAntenatal careAntenatal screeningAnti-inflammatories, non-steroidalAnticoagulant drugsAntidepressant drugsAntifungal drugsAntihistamine drugsAnxietyAphasiaApnoeaAppendicitisArthritisArthroscopyArtificial inseminationAsbestosisAspergillosisAsthmaAstigmatismAtherosclerosisAthlete's footAtrial fibrillationAttention deficit hyperactivity disorderAutism

  ---