Medically Reviewed by Hugh L. Willcox, III, MD, FACS

As the leading cause of abdominal pain resulting in emergency surgery, appendicitis is most often diagnosed between the ages of 10 and 30. In the US, about five percent of the population will develop appendicitis in their lifetime.

The appendix is a small, tube-like organ that is connected to the large intestine and can be found in the lower right part of your abdomen. Appendicitis is a condition that occurs when the appendix becomes swollen or infected. Bacteria begins to accumulate inside the appendix, causing it to become inflamed, swollen and filled with pus.

The most common symptom of appendicitis is pain that may start round the belly button and move toward the lower right side of the abdomen, often getting worse as time goes on. The pain may worsen when moving, taking deep breaths, coughing or sneezing.

Additional symptoms include nausea and vomiting, loss of appetite, a low-grade fever that may rise as the condition worsens, and a swollen abdomen.

If you believe you have appendicitis, seek medical attention right away. It is likely that the appendix will burst, leading to a serious, and potentially deadly, infection. In most cases, a surgical procedure called an appendectomy is performed to remove the appendix as soon as possible.

After surgery, patients are usually sore for a few days. Recovery time will depend on what type of surgery you undergo. Plan on taking it easy for the first several days, but you should try to move around as much as you can. You will have a prescription for pain medication. If your pain is mild, Tylenol can be used.

You can live a normal life without your appendix, and most patients find that once their appendix has been removed, they feel a lot better. Talk with your primary healthcare provider if you have symptoms that could indicate appendicitis.