Appendicitis: Symptoms, Risks and Treatment

The appendix

The appendix is a small, tube-shaped organ attached to the first part of the large intestine, in the lower right of the abdomen. It has no known function.

What goes wrong

1. Something blocks the inside of the appendix.
2. Pressure builds, blood flow suffers, and the appendix becomes inflamed.
3. Left untreated, it can burst and spread infection through the abdomen — a condition called peritonitis.

Symptoms

The main one is pain in the abdomen, often on the right side. It usually comes on suddenly and gets worse over time. Others may include:

• swelling of the abdomen
• loss of appetite
• nausea and vomiting
• constipation or diarrhea
• being unable to pass gas
• a low fever

Not everyone has all of these.

Who gets it

Anyone can, but it's most common between the ages of 10 and 30.

Treatment

Appendicitis is a medical emergency. Treatment almost always means removing the appendix.

Sources

Based on the MedlinePlus health topic "Appendicitis," National Library of Medicine, with content from the NIH's National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases; a work of the United States government in the public domain.