MedicineNet

Appendicitis Center - Utica, NY

WebMD Physician Directory

Utica, New York

Upcoming Local Events

2012-05-27
Cooperstown Sprint Triathlon
Cooperstown, New York
2012-06-17
The Virtual Father's Day Run - Oneonta
Throughout Oneonta, New York
2012-06-17
The Virtual Father's Day Run - Warren
Throughout Warren, New York
2012-07-08
2012-07-28
Ranger Run 5K
Frankfort, New York
2012-08-18
Brody's BUDDY Ride 2012
Cliinton, New York
2012-10-21
2012-10-21
2012-11-11
World Run Day 2012 Registration - Oneonta
Throughout Oneonta, New York
2012-11-11
World Run Day 2012 Registration - Warren
Throughout Warren, New York

Appendicitis

What is the appendix?

The appendix is a closed-ended, narrow tube up to several inches in length that attaches to the cecum (the first part of the colon) like a worm. (The anatomical name for the appendix, vermiform appendix, means worm-like appendage.) The inner lining of the appendix produces a small amount of mucus that flows through the open center of the appendix and into the cecum. The wall of the appendix contains lymphatic tissue that is part of the immune system for making antibodies. Like the rest of the colon, the wall of the appendix also contains a layer of muscle, but the layer of muscle is poorly developed.

What is appendicitis and what causes appendicitis?

Appendicitis means inflammation of the appendix. It is thought that appendicitis begins when the opening from the appendix into the cecum becomes blocked. The blockage may be due to a build-up of thick mucus within the appendix or to stool that enters the appendix from the cecum. The mucus or stool hardens, becomes rock-like, and blocks the opening. This rock is called a fecalith (literally, a rock of stool). At other times, the lymphatic tissue in the appendix might swell and block the appendix. After the blockage occurs, bacteria which normally are found within the appendix begin to invade (infect) the wall of the appendix. The body responds to the invasion by mounting an attack on the bacteria, an attack called inflammation. An alternative theory for the cause of appendicitis is an initial rupture of the appendix followed by spread of bacteria outside of the appendix. The cause of such a rupture is unclear, but it may relate to changes that occur in the lymphatic tissue, for example, inflammation, that lines the wall of the appendix.)

If the inflammation and infection spread through the wall of the appendix, the appendix can rupture. After rupture, infection can spread throughout the abdomen; however, it ...

Recommended Reading Related to Appendicitis

Night Sweats »

Introduction to night sweats

Doctors in primary care fields of medicine often hear their patients complain of night sweats as they are common. Night sweats refer to any excess sweating occurring during the night. However, if your bedroom is unusually hot or you are using too many bedclothes, you may begin to sweat during sleep - and this is normal. In order to distinguish night sweats that arise from medical causes from those that occur because one's surroundings are too warm, doctors generally refer to true night sweats as severe hot flashes occurring at night that can drench sleepwear and sheets, which are not related to an overheated environment.

In one study of 2267 patients visiting a primary care physician, 41% reported experiencing night sweats during the previous month, so the perception of excessive sweating at night is fairly common. It is important to note that flushing (a warmth and redness of the face or trunk) may also be hard t...

Emergency Contact for Utica

  • In case of Emergency, call 911

Nearby Utica Hospitals *

Faxton St Luke's Healthcare St Luke's Campus
1656 Champion Ave
Utica, NY 13503
(315)624-6000

Faxton St Luke's Healthcare Faxton Campus
1676 Sunset Ave
Utica, NY 13502
(315)624-6000

Mohawk Valley Psychiatric Center
1400 Noyes St
Utica, NY 13502
(315)738-3800

St Elizabeth Medical Center
2209 Genesee St
Utica, NY 13501
(315)798-8100

Valley Health Services
690 W German St
Herkimer, NY 13350
(315)866-3330

Rome Memorial Hospital
1500 N James St
Rome, NY 13440
(315)338-7000

Little Falls Hospital
140 Burwell St
Little Falls, NY 13365
(315)823-1000

Oneida Healthcare Center
321 Genesee St
Oneida, NY 13421
(315)363-6000

Community Memorial Hospital
150 Broad St
Hamilton, NY 13346
(315)824-1100

Mary Imogene Bassett Hospital
One Atwell Rd
Cooperstown, NY 13326
(607)547-3456

*Provider Directory Terms of Use:

The WebMD 'Provider Directory' is provided by WebMD for use by the general public as a quick reference of information about Providers. The Provider Directory is not intended as a tool for verifying the credentials, qualifications, or abilities of any Provider contained therein. Inclusion in the Provider Directory does not imply recommendation or endorsement nor does omission in the Provider Directory imply WebMD disapproval.

You are prohibited from using, downloading, republishing, selling, duplicating, or "scraping" for commercial or any other purpose whatsoever, the Provider Directory or any of the data listings or other information contained therein, in whole or in part, in any medium whatsoever.

The Provider Directory is provided on an "AS-IS" basis. WebMD disclaims all warranties, either express or implied, including but not limited to the implied warranties of merchantability and fitness for particular purpose. Without limiting the foregoing, WebMD does not warrant or represent that the Provider Directory or any part thereof is accurate or complete. You assume full responsibility for the communications with any Provider you contact through the Provider Directory. WebMD shall in no event be liable to you or to anyone for any decision made or action taken by you in the reliance on information provided in the Provider Directory.

The use of WebMD Provider Directory by any entity or individual to verify the credentials of Providers is prohibited. The database of Provider information which drives WebMD Provider Directory does not contain sufficient information with which to verify Provider credentials under the standards of the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO), National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) of the Utilization Review Accreditation Committee (URAC).

By using the WebMD Provider Directory, you agree to these Terms and Conditions.