What is causative agent of appendicitis?

The most common cause of appendicitis is a blockage in the appendix. This blockage can be caused by:

- Fecaliths: Hardened pieces of stool that can become lodged in the appendix.

- Swelling of the lymph nodes: Lymph nodes are small, bean-shaped structures that help fight infection. When they swell, they can block the opening of the appendix.

- Tumors: Benign (non-cancerous) or malignant (cancerous) tumors can also block the appendix.

- Foreign objects: In rare cases, foreign objects such as pins, needles, or seeds can become lodged in the appendix and cause blockage.

Infection: Once the appendix is blocked, bacteria can start to grow and multiply, causing inflammation and infection. The most common bacteria that cause appendicitis are:

- Escherichia coli (E. coli)

- Bacteroides fragilis

- Streptococcus pneumoniae

- Enterococcus faecalis

- Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Other risk factors: Certain factors can increase the risk of developing appendicitis, including:

- Age: Appendicitis is most common in people between the ages of 10 and 30.

- Sex: Men are more likely to develop appendicitis than women.

- Family history: People with a family history of appendicitis are more likely to develop the condition.

- Cystic fibrosis: People with cystic fibrosis are more likely to develop appendicitis.

- Crohn's disease: People with Crohn's disease are more likely to develop appendicitis.

- Immunosuppression: People who are immunosuppressed (have a weakened immune system) are more likely to develop appendicitis.

Symptoms of appendicitis: The most common symptom of appendicitis is pain in the lower right abdomen. Other symptoms can include:

- Nausea

- Vomiting

- Loss of appetite

- Fever

- Chills

- Constipation

- Diarrhea

- Bloating

- Abdominal distension