Inflammation of the appendix, a finger-shaped pouch present at the lower right side of the abdomen. Starts with a dull pain in the middle or right side of the abdomen and moves down to the lower right abdomen.

Appendicitis starts with pain around the umbilicus (navel or belly button) and progresses to the right lower abdomen or pelvis in a few hours.

Other symptoms include:

• Nausea, vomiting, fever, tachycardia (fast heartbeats), and foul breath
• Constipation is a common feature but diarrhoea might occur in some cases
• Frequent urination inflamed appendix may come in contact with urinary bladder and cause irritation and frequent urination

→ Common treatment options

→ How is this diagnosed?

– Appendicitis occurs when the opening of the appendix is blocked, or due to infection. Causes include:

• Obstruction of appendix by fecal matter, foreign body, roundworm or threadworm infection
• Viral infection
• Infection by bacteria such as E.coli, Enterococci, Streptococci, Clostridium
• Family history: 30% of appendicitis in children has a family history

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