Appendicitis Quiz: Test Your Medical IQ

The appendix is a small, tube-shaped organ located in the lower right portion of the abdomen, where the small intestine and large intestine (colon) meet. The function of the appendix is unknown. Many believe it is a vestigial organ (one we used to need but no longer do), while some scientists theorize it may store beneficial bacteria that can aid in digestion.

Appendicitis is defined as inflammation of the appendix. If the appendix becomes infected with bacteria, viruses, or a fungus it can become inflamed, resulting in appendicitis. It can sometimes be difficult to diagnose appendicitis because the symptoms of appendicitis and pain in the abdomen can often resemble other health conditions that affect nearby organs.

Appendicitis affects 5% of Americans, making it the most common cause of acute abdominal pain requiring surgery in the U.S., according to The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.

There is not one single causes of appendicitis, but many possible causes, including:
- Blockage of the opening inside the appendix, which causes the bacteria inside to invade the walls of the appendix
- Fecal matter (fecaliths, or "appendix stones"), parasites, or growths that can clog your appendiceal lumen
- Infection in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract
- Inflammatory bowel disease such as Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis
- Abdominal trauma or injury

Symptoms of appendicitis progress over several hours to a couple of days, and usually begin with mild pain near the belly button that moves to the lower right quadrant of the belly and becomes sharper. This pain usually is worse when you try to move, take deep breaths, or cough and sneeze. Sometimes the pain occurs suddenly, and it can be very severe, different from other abdominal pain you've felt before.

Other symptoms of appendicitis that accompany the abdominal pain include:
- Loss of appetite
- Nausea and/or vomiting
- Abdominal bloating or swelling
- Constipation, diarrhea, and gas (or an inability to pass gas)
- Fever
- Feeling like a bowel movement will relieve the pain
- Pain elsewhere in the abdomen, in the back, or in the rectal area
- Indigestion
- Painful urination
- General feeling of being unwell (malaise)

Appendicitis is a medical emergency. If you are experiencing any symptoms you think might be appendicitis, go to an emergency department or call 911 immediately.

If you have appendicitis you will likely need emergency surgery to remove the appendix (an appendectomy).

An appendectomy reduces the chance of having a ruptured (burst) appendix. The appendix may be removed using laparoscopic surgery (a laparoscopic appendectomy), which involves smaller incisions and shorter recovery time.

In some instances of mild appendicitis, it may be treated with antibiotics alone, though the standard treatment for appendicitis remains an appendectomy.

Appendicitis is a medical emergency because if untreated it can be fatal. The appendix houses bacteria, which are normally harmless, but with appendicitis this bacteria attacks the walls of the appendix. Untreated, the appendix wall can rupture, allowing the contents of the appendix to leak into the surrounding tissue and cause a condition called peritonitis, or inflammation of the lining of the abdomen. This can lead to sepsis (which is the body going into overdrive to fight off the infection), organ failure, and death.

There are about 250,000 cases of appendicitis each year in the U.S. Appendicitis is most common in people between the ages of 10 to 30 years, with the highest incidence in persons aged 10 to 19. Men have a slightly higher rate of appendicitis than women, and Caucasians are diagnosed with appendicitis 1.5 times more often than other ethnic groups.

An appendectomy will remove your appendix, which will get rid of the pain and the potential for rupture and infection. Following surgery, most people recover completely within 2 to 6 weeks and have no major, long-term health problems. In fact, most people do not need to change their diet, exercise, or lifestyle.

As with any surgery, an appendectomy is not risk-free. There can still be complications including an allergic reaction to medications, infection of the incision, the appendix rupturing during the procedure, and other conditions. Talk to your surgeon before the procedure to discuss risks.

Appendectomy remains the first line of treatment most commonly used to treat appendicitis. Removing the appendix is the only way to ensure the appendix won't perforate and cause peritonitis or other complications in the future.

However, antibiotics can be helpful in some patients for whom surgery is not an option, such as patients who have recently had a heart attack, patients with serious medical conditions, and women in the first trimester of pregnancy.

In addition, new research shows some patients may benefit from non-surgical treatment. A 2015 study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association showed nearly three-quarters of people with appendicitis treated with antibiotics might not need surgery. The study states a CT scan can detect if a patient has a mild or severe case of appendicitis in order to determine who needs surgery.