appendicitis
Appendicitis is a medical emergency that occurs when the appendix becomes inflamed and infected. The appendix is a small pouch that's attached to the large intestine.
Symptoms
- Pain in the lower right abdomen that starts near the belly button
- Pain that worsens when you move, cough, or press on the area
- Nausea and vomiting
- Fever
- Decreased appetite
- Bloating
- Constipation
- Difficulty passing gas
Causes
- Infections from viruses, bacteria, or parasites in the digestive tract
- Laparoscopic surgery, which involves making small cuts in the abdomen to use a camera and surgical instruments
- Open surgery, which involves making a larger cut in the abdomen
Complications
- A burst appendix, which can lead to peritonitis, a serious infection of the abdominal cavity
- An abscess of the appendix called an appendiceal abscess
Risk factors
- Appendicitis is more common in males, and in people in their teens and 20s.