Appendicitis is one of the most common reasons for emergency surgery in America. According to recent medical reports, an estimated 250,000 cases of appendicitis occur each year. Roughly 8 percent of Americans will develop this condition at some point in their lives. While it’s more common in people ages 10 to 30, it can happen to anyone at any time.
Considering the statistics, there’s a fairly high chance that you or a loved one will suffer from appendicitis. With that being the case, it’s important to learn more about the condition. Read on to find out what appendicitis is, what causes it, how it’s treated, and what the life expectancy after appendix burst is.
What Does the Appendix Do?
The appendix is a small pouch that’s attached to the large intestine. Not very long ago, it was believed that the appendix didn’t really serve a purpose. That has changed in recent years, though.
Now, scientists say it plays a few roles in our health. For one, research shows that it acts as a reservoir for healthy gut bacteria. When the body’s natural supply of those bacteria is depleted, it can simply draw from the stores in the appendix. It has also been found to contain tissue that produces immune cells and hormones. Though those functions are important, you can certainly live a long, healthy life without your appendix.
What Is Appendicitis and What Causes It?
Appendicitis is inflammation in the appendix. That typically happens when its opening into the large intestine gets blocked by stool, swollen lymph tissue, or other matter. That allows bacteria to grow and multiply inside the appendix, which triggers inflammation and potentially serious infection. People who suffer from gastrointestinal disorders and those who don’t get enough fiber in their diets are at a higher risk of developing appendicitis. Men are also at a slightly higher risk than women.
What Are the Symptoms of Appendicitis?
Appendicitis usually starts off with minor symptoms, such as mild abdominal pain and feeling a bit run down. It may also cause nausea, a low-grade fever, and loss of appetite. As the infection and inflammation grow worse, though, the symptoms follow suit. The pain gets more intense and may move to the lower right side of the abdomen or even cover the entire abdomen. Some people describe it as a constant severe ache accompanied by intermittent sharp, rolling pains.
What Happens If the Appendix Ruptures?
If appendicitis goes untreated for too long, the appendix may rupture. If it does, its contents, including the dangerous bacteria, can spill out into the abdominal cavity. That can lead to life-threatening complications, including peritonitis, abscess formation, and sepsis. Peritonitis is infection and inflammation in the lining of the abdominal cavity. An abscess is essentially a pocket of infection that the body forms to try to contain the bacteria. Sepsis occurs when infection enters the bloodstream.
Many people who’ve have lived through a burst appendix say their pain subsides after the rupture. That can be dangerous because it lulls people into a false sense of security and may prompt them to put off getting medical care. That relief doesn’t last, though. Before long, it returns even worse than before. It can also be accompanied by a high fever, hardening of the abdomen, weakness, and rapid heart rate along with other symptoms.
What Is the Life Expectancy After a Ruptured Appendix?
When it comes to life expectancy after a burst appendix, there’s no straightforward answer. Data varies from one source to the next, and several factors come into play here. According to some reports, the mortality rate for ruptured appendix cases is around five percent for those who ultimately receive treatment. No one survives a ruptured appendix without treatment due to sepsis and other complications.
That being said, it’s certainly possible to survive a ruptured appendix with prompt treatment. At least 95 percent of people who suffer a ruptured appendix and get to a hospital for treatment survive and go on to live normal lives.
How Long Can You Live After Your Appendix Bursts?
Once appendicitis develops, the condition can quickly grow worse to the point where it’s life threatening. The appendix can rupture within 24 to 72 hours of the onset of symptoms. From there, sepsis can set in within hours, and many patients only live a few hours beyond that point without treatment. That’s why it’s so important to recognize the symptoms and seek emergency care as quickly as possible.
Other factors that can affect the outcome of a ruptured appendix include the age and health of the patient. Older patients and those with additional serious or chronic medical conditions are at higher risks of complications. Post-surgical complications, like incision infections, abscesses, and bowel obstructions, can hamper recovery and potentially reduce life expectancy.
How Is Appendicitis Treated?
Treating appendicitis involves removing the appendix. It’s a routine surgical procedure that generally takes about an hour to perform. When the appendix ruptures, patients typically receive intensive antibiotic therapy to treat the infection. That usually lasts for three to five days depending on the severity of the infection.
Some of the antibiotics used to treat these types of infections are ciprofloxacin, metronidazole, cefuroxime, ceftriaxone, and levofloxacin. These are often used in conjunction, especially for particularly serious infections. After leaving the hospital, patients may need to take oral antibiotics to continue fighting the infection.
Surviving a Ruptured Appendix
There was a time when appendicitis was essentially a death sentence. Today, it can easily be treated with surgery, but getting medical care as quickly as possible after symptoms start is crucial. It’s also possible to survive a ruptured appendix with an appendectomy and strong courses of antibiotics, but again, time is of the essence.
Most people who receive timely care after a burst appendix survive and live completely normal lives. Their average life expectancy after treatment is no different than that of anyone else. Though some people are at a higher risk of complications than others, the rate of complications following treatment is low.