RA
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Serious severity
· MD Medicine
Appendicitis
Inflamed appendix · Surgical emergency
Blockage of the appendix causes infection and inflammation. If it bursts, infection spreads — needs surgery within hours of diagnosis.
At a glance
- Prevalence
- Lifetime risk 7%
- Typical age
- 10–30 years most common
- Outlook
- Curable with surgery
- System
- Gut
Reviewed by a verified MD Medicine doctor
What causes it
Causes
- Faecolith blocking appendix
- Lymphoid hyperplasia (children)
- Tumor (rare)
- Worms
How it feels
Symptoms & effects
- Pain around navel migrating to right lower abdomen
- Loss of appetite, nausea
- Fever
- Pain worse on right leg lift
- Rebound tenderness
How it’s treated
Treatment & cure
- Ultrasound or CT to confirm
- Laparoscopic appendicectomy
- IV antibiotics
- Conservative therapy in select cases
- Address peritonitis if ruptured
Staying ahead
Prevention
- Not preventable
- Eat fibre-rich diet
- Treat constipation
Do’s
- Seek care if right-lower-quadrant pain
- Avoid food until evaluated
- Get pre-op antibiotics
- Mobilize early after surgery
Don’ts
- Eat or drink heavily if pain
- Apply heat over abdomen
- Take strong painkillers masking pain
- Ignore worsening pain after a 'good' hour
See a doctor immediately if
Symptoms are sudden or severe, getting worse despite home care, or interfering with sleep, work or daily life. Don’t self-diagnose from the internet — book a verified clinician below.
Top specialists
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Disclaimer ·
This article is educational and reviewed by clinicians, but it cannot replace an in-person assessment.
Medication doses, prevention advice and treatment choices vary by person. Always confirm with a doctor before acting on anything here.