Appendicitis (cont.)
IN THIS ARTICLE
- Appendicitis Overview
- Appendicitis Causes
- Appendicitis Symptoms
- When to Seek Medical Care
- Exams and Tests
- Appendicitis Treatment
- Self-Care at Home
- Surgery
- Next Steps
- Follow-up
- Prevention
- Outlook
- Synonyms and Keywords
- Authors and Editors
- Pictures of Appendicitis & Appendectomy - Slideshow
- Viewer Comments: Appendicitis - Symptoms Experienced
Appendicitis Causes
There is no clear cause of appendicitis. Fecal material is thought to be one possible obstructing object. Bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites can be responsible agents of an infection that leads to swelling of the tissues of the appendix wall, including Yersinia species, adenovirus, cytomegalovirus, actinomycosis, Mycobacteria species, Histoplasma species, Schistosoma species, pinworms, and Strongyloides stercoralis. Also, swelling of the tissue from inflammatory bowel diseases such as Crohn's disease may cause appendicitis. It appears that appendicitis is not hereditary or transmittable from person to person.
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Appendicitis - Symptoms Experienced
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Appendicitis »
The appendix is a wormlike extension of the cecum and, for this reason, has been called the vermiform appendix.
