Appendicitis

Overview

Appendicitis is an inflammation of the appendix, a finger-shaped pouch that projects from your colon on the lower right side of your belly (abdomen).

Appendicitis causes pain in your lower right belly (abdomen). In most people, the pain begins around the belly button (navel) and then moves. As the swelling gets worse, appendicitis pain typically gets stronger and eventually becomes severe.

Although anyone can develop appendicitis, most often it occurs in people between the ages of 10 and 30. Standard treatment is surgery to remove the appendix.

Symptoms

Signs and symptoms of appendicitis may include:

• Sudden pain that begins on the right side of the lower belly (abdomen)
• Sudden pain that begins around the belly button (navel) and often shifts to the lower right belly
• Pain that gets worse if you cough, walk or make other jarring movements
• Nausea and vomiting
• Loss of appetite
• Low-grade fever that may get worse as the illness gets worse
• Constipation or diarrhea
• Bloating in the belly
• Flatulence

When to see a doctor

Make an appointment with a health care professional if you or your child has symptoms that worry you. Terrible belly (abdominal) pain requires immediate medical help.

Causes

A blockage in the lining of the appendix that results in infection is the likely cause of appendicitis. The bacteria multiply rapidly, causing the appendix to become inflamed, swollen and filled with pus. If not treated promptly, the appendix can burst (rupture).

Risk factors

Risk factors for appendicitis include:

• Age. Appendicitis most often affects people between the ages of 10 and 30. But it can happen at any age.
• Sex. Appendicitis is slightly more common in males than in females.

Complications

Appendicitis can cause serious complications, such as:

• A burst (ruptured) appendix. A ruptured appendix spreads infection throughout the belly (abdomen). This possibly life-threatening condition is called peritonitis. It requires immediate surgery to remove the appendix and clean the abdominal cavity.
• A pocket of pus that forms in the belly. If the appendix bursts, you may develop a pocket of infection, known as an abscess. In most cases, a surgeon drains the abscess by placing a tube through the wall of your belly into the abscess.