Appendicitis is a part of the digestive diseases. It is known that this problem is caused by the inflammation of the appendix. The appendix is a tube of tissue that is found next to the large intestine. Nobody can tell what the function of the appendix is but all specialists agree that we can live without it.

This condition is considered to be a medical emergency that requires an immediate surgical intervention. After the intervention the appendix will be removed. If this intervention is not promptly done the patients might experience an inflamed appendix that will eventually burst or perforate, spilling infectious materials into the abdominal cavity.

Appendicitis is considered to be totally different from other conditions that cause abdominal discomfort. It is known that there is no way to prevent appendicitis. More than that appendicitis requires, as we said before, an immediate medical care. Once it perforates, the appendicitis will affect the nearby organs and in some cases it might lead to death. That is why it is recommended an early detection of this condition.

Many symptoms are common for the problem called appendicitis. It is good to know that abdominal discomfort is one of these symptoms. It is also known that many medical conditions cause abdominal discomfort. Among these conditions we may find conditions starting with constipations to stomach or colon cancer. In the first phase of appendicitis the symptoms are usually vague. That is why many patients will attribute the symptoms to other much more easier conditions. In appendicitis the pain usually begins near the umbilical area and travels down to the lower right side of the abdomen. If time goes by, the symptoms will aggravate and discomfort is more and more present, consisting of a sharp pain that leads to immobility. In later phases back pain begins to be common too.

If you believe that appendicitis causes your abdominal discomfort you might take your temperature. In many cases those who suffer of appendicitis will have a low grade fever.

Other common symptoms for appendicitis are nausea, vomiting and loss of appetite.

It is also good to know that you can not treat appendicitis with medications. The only effective way that will help you get rid of the symptoms is the surgical intervention. This intervention is necessary before the appendix perforates in order to prevent complications. By removing the appendix there is no risk of spreading the infection to the other organs. This surgical procedure is called appendectomy.