The appendix, also known as the earthworm, is a small, thin, curved, blind tube attached to the appendix in the human body. Don’t look at it as small, but when it hurts, it can be very serious. Today, we will talk to you about the causes and prevention of appendicitis. Location of the appendix Broadly speaking, appendicitis can be divided into two types: acute and chronic, with acute being the most common. There are several possible causes of acute appendicitis: obstruction, infection, and appendiceal contraction infection. Obstruction is caused by blockage of the appendiceal passage by fecal matter, chyme, or foreign bodies, resulting in a buildup of secretions in the appendix, an increase in internal pressure, and a painful infection with bacterial invasion. Obstructed appendix and inflammation site Infection is due to direct infection of the appendix by bacteria in the intestinal tract, or if there is a break in the appendiceal mucosa, the bacteria act directly on the appendiceal cells, causing infection. Constriction infection of the appendix refers to acute inflammation due to abnormal intestinal activity such as diarrhea and constipation causing spasm of the appendiceal muscles and blood vessels caused by visceral nerve reflexes, which leads to narrowing of the appendiceal lumen, impaired blood supply, damaged mucosa, and bacterial invasion. In conclusion, acute appendicitis is generally due to bacterial invasion of the appendiceal tissue, resulting in infection. Normal appendix and infected appendix Chronic appendicitis is generally due to the sequelae of acute appendicitis attacks that heal by non-surgical means or heal spontaneously, but are left behind. Primary chronic appendicitis is relatively uncommon and is experienced over a longer period of time. Secondary chronic appendicitis is more common and is basically due to the transformation of acute appendicitis. How can the onset of appendicitis be determined? All patients with acute appendicitis will feel abdominal pain. At the beginning of the disease, abdominal pain may occur in the upper middle abdomen or around the umbilicus, and after a few hours it shifts and becomes fixed in the right lower abdomen. Rebound pain in the right lower abdomen is an important sign of acute appendicitis. Simple appendicitis often presents with paroxysmal, dull pain, while septic or gangrenous appendicitis causes persistent, severe pain, and if the pain is persistent and spreads to the mid-lower abdomen or both lower abdomen, it is a sign of gangrenous perforation of the appendix. The location of pain in the right lower abdomen Acute appendicitis has both surgical and non-surgical treatment options, but only surgical treatment is curative. Non-operative treatment is limited to the use of antibiotic therapy to control the infection and confine the lesion when the patient’s peripheral or objective conditions do not allow it, and waiting for the time to operate until the patient is ready to operate. Chronic appendicitis is also curable only by surgical treatment. However, recent studies have shown that the appendix does not play a role in the digestive process, but may play a role in immunity, so experts believe that appendectomy should be done carefully and only when there are no other options. How can appendicitis be prevented? People can start by adjusting their lifestyle, developing good hygiene habits, paying attention to diet regulation, eating less and more meals, especially avoiding overeating, and making sure not to engage in strenuous exercise immediately after meals. And once diagnosed with appendicitis or suspected appendicitis onset, one should immediately seek medical attention to avoid inducing intestinal perforation, spreading infection and evolving into peritonitis.