Appendicitis is an inflammation of the appendix. Appendicitis often causes sings and symptoms such as abdominal pain in the lower right quadrant, nausea, vomiting, abdominal tenderness, fever, and loss of appetite.
Delay in surgery can result in appendix rupture with potentially serious complications.
Read more: Appendicitis ArticleMultimedia: Slideshows, Images & Quizzes
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Appendicitis Quiz: Test Your Medical IQ
How dangerous is appendicitis? Take this quiz to answer questions, get quick facts, and learn the causes of appendicitis as well...
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Picture of Colon
The part of the large intestine that serves to remove water from digested food and let the remaining material, solid waste called...
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Picture of Appendicitis
Inflammation of the appendix, the small worm-like projection from the first part of the colon. See a picture of Appendicitis and...
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Picture of Appendix 2
The appendix is a closed-ended, narrow, worm-like tube up to several inches in length that attaches to the cecum (the first part...
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Picture of Appendix 1
Front View of the Appendix. The appendix sits at the junction of the small intestine and large intestine. See a picture of the...
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Picture of Intestines
The intestines are a long, continuous tube running from the stomach to the anus. See a picture of the Intestines and learn more...
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Picture of Abdomen
The abdomen (commonly called the belly) is the body space between the thorax (chest) and pelvis. See a picture of the Abdomen and...
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Appendicitis: Symptoms, Signs, Causes, Appendectomy in Detail
What causes appendicitis? What causes a burst or ruptured appendix? Learn step-by-step what happens during laparoscopic...
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Pelvic Pain: What's Causing Your Pelvic Pain?
There are many causes of pelvic pain in women including cysts, PMS, appendicitis, and bladder infections. Pelvic pain has...
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What's Causing Your Abdominal Pain?
Abdominal pain is a symptom of many possible conditions including appendicitis, ulcers, irritable bowel syndrome, indigestion,...
SLIDESHOW
Appendicitis: Symptoms, Signs, Causes, Appendectomy in Detail See SlideshowRelated Disease Conditions
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Appendicitis
Second Source article from Government
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Appendicitis
Second Source WebMD Medical Reference
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What Causes Abdominal Pain?
Abdominal pain can have many causes that range from mild to severe. Some of these causes include bloating, gas, colitis, endometriosis, food poisoning, GERD, IBS (irritable bowel syndrome), ovarian cysts, abdominal adhesions, diverticulitis, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, gallbladder disease, liver disease, and cancers. Signs and symptoms of the more serious causes include dehydration, bloody or black tarry stools, severe abdominal pain, pain with no urination or painful urination. Treatment for abdominal pain depends upon the cause.
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Cerebral Palsy
Cerebral palsy (CP) is an abnormality of motor function and postural tone acquired at an early age (even before birth). Cerebral palsy is generally caused by brain trauma. Types of cerebral palsy include: spastic, dyskinetic (dystonic or choreoathetoid), hypotonic, and mixed types. There is no cure for cerebral palsy, and treatment is generally managing the symptoms of the condition.
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First Aid
First aid is a complicated subject and it is situation-specific. First aid is defined as the help and medical assistance someone a sick or injured person. Preparedness is key to first aid, like having basic medical emergency kits in your home, car, boat, or RV. Many minor injuries may require first aid, including cuts, puncture wounds, sprains, strains, and nosebleeds. Examples of more critical first aid emergencies include heart attacks, strokes, seizures, and heat stroke
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The Digestion Process (Parts, Organs, and Functions)
Digestion is the complex process of turning the food you eat into the energy you need to survive. The digestive process also involves creating waste to be eliminated, and is made of a series of muscles that coordinate the movement of food. Learn more about digestion and the body parts that make it possible, including the mouth, pharynx, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, colon, rectum, anus, pancreas, liver, and gallbladder.
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Night Sweats
Night sweats are severe hot flashes that occur at night and result in a drenching sweat. The causes of night sweats in most people are not serious, like menopause in women, sleep apnea, medications, alcohol withdrawal, and thyroid problems. However, more serious diseases like cancer and HIV also can cause night sweats. Your doctor will treat your night sweats depending upon the cause. You may experience other signs and symptoms that are associated with night sweats, which depend upon the cause, but may include, shaking, and chills with a fever caused by an infection like the flu or pneumonia; unexplained weight loss due to lymphoma; women in perimenopause or menopause may also have vaginal dryness, mood swings, and hot flashes during the day; and low blood sugar in people with diabetes. Other causes of night sweats include medications like NSAIDs (aspirin, acetaminophen, ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil), and naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn), antidepressants, sildenafil (Viagra), and abuse of prescription or illegal drugs and drug withdrawal; hormone disorders like pheochromocytoma and carcinoid syndrome; idiopathic hyperhidrosis; infections like endocarditis, AIDs, and abscesses; alcoholism and alcohol withdrawal; drug abuse, addiction, and withdrawal; and stroke. A doctor or other health care professional can treat your night sweats after the cause has been diagnosed.
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Symptoms of 12 Serious Diseases and Health Problems
Learn how to recognize early warning signs and symptoms of serious diseases and health problems, for example, chronic cough, headache, chest pain, nausea, stool color or consistency changes, heartburn, skin moles, anxiety, nightmares, suicidal thoughts, hallucinations, delusions, lightheadedness, night sweats, eye problems, confusion, depression, severe pelvic or abdominal pain, unusual vaginal discharge, and nipple changes. The symptoms and signs of serious health problems can be caused by strokes, heart attacks, cancers, reproductive problems in females (for example, cancers, fibroids, endometriosis, ovarian cysts, and sexually transmitted diseases or STDs), breast problems (for example, breast cancer and non-cancer related diseases), lung diseases (for example, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or COPD, lung cancer, emphysema, and asthma), stomach or digestive diseases (for example, cancers, gallbladder, liver, and pancreatic diseases, ulcerative colitis, or Crohn's disease), bladder problems (for example, urinary incontinence, and kidney infections), skin cancer, muscle and joint problems, emotional problems or mental illness (for example, postpartum depression, major depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), mania, and schizophrenia), and headache disorders (for example, migraines, or "the worst headache of your life), and eating disorders and weight problems (for example, anorexia or bulimia).
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Shock (Medical)
Medical shock is a life-threatening medical condition. There are several types of medical shock, including: septic shock, anaphylactic shock, cardiogenic shock, hypovolemic shock, and neurogenic shock. Causes of shock include: heart attack, heart failure, heavy bleeding (internal and external), infection, anaphylaxis, spinal cord injury, severe burns, chronic vomiting or diarrhea. Low blood pressure is the key sign of sock. Treatment is dependant upon the type of shock.
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Peritonitis
Peritonitis is a bacterial infection inside of the abdomen. Some doctors choose to group the causes of peritonitis into five categories; 1) primary peritonitis, 2) secondary peritonitis, 3) tertiary peritonitis, 4) chemical (sterile) peritonitis, and 5) peritoneal abscess. Others do not categorize peritonitis, they use a term to describe the disease in front or behind the word peritonitis. Symptoms include diarrhea, abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting. Treatment is generally with antibiotics.
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Why Am I So Bloated and Gassy?
Bloating is a feeling that your abdomen is distended or larger than normal, but it does not necessarily mean that it is. Gas (flatulence) also can be a problem if you are bloated. Common, less serious causes of bloating are eating too fast, too much, or too many fatty foods; swallowing air; pregnancy; and menstruation. Cancer and IBD (ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease) are examples the more serious causes of bloating. Examples of foods and drinks that cause bloating are high fiber foods if you don't eat them regularly; eventually the bloating and gassiness will resolve if you eat them on a regular basis; fatty greasy foods, dairy products (for example, cheese, ice cream, milk, and yogurt); foods high in salt (for example, processed, frozen, and canned foods), and artificial sweeteners. Some doctors and other health care professionals recommend natural remedies like chamomile or peppermint tea, or pumpkin to relieve bloating. Examples of OTC medicine (medicine available without a prescription) and other products that may relieve bloating and gassiness are, Gas-X, Beano, Pepto Bismol, Metamucil, probiotics, and Ex-Lax for constipation associated with bloating. If you have persistent or severe gas and bloating, and if you have any of these symptoms see a doctor or other healthcare professional, shortness of breath, heart palpitations, chest pain, bloody diarrhea, fever, or if you think you are or may be pregnant.
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Cramps but No Period
Having cramps but no period can occur because of conditions other than your monthly menstrual cycle. They may feel like period cramps of the lower abdomen when you are not due for your period and produce no blood. These 12 diseases and conditions are examples of what can cause abdominal cramping when not on period.
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How Long Does It Take to Recover From Laparoscopic Surgery?
When done for the treatment of medical conditions, the recovery may vary depending on the type of treatment. After a major surgery, such as a laparoscopic hysterectomy (removal of the uterus), removal of the ovaries or removal of a kidney for the treatment of cancer, it may take up to 12 weeks to recover. The patient may be able to resume their activities within 3 weeks of a minor laparoscopic surgery, such as an appendix removal.
Treatment & Diagnosis
- CT Scan (Computerized Tomography)
- Barium Enema
- Questions To Ask Before Surgery
- Ultrasound
- Laparoscopy
- Appendectomy
- Sedimentation Rate
- How Long Does It Take to Recover from An Appendectomy?
- What Is Recovery Time for Laparoscopic Appendectomy?
- How Long Does a TAP Block Last?
- What Is Transvaginal Appendectomy?
- What Is Fascial Closure?
- Appendicitis FAQs
- Abdominal Adhesions
- Abdominal Pain Causes
- Questions To Ask Your Doctor - General
- Appendicitis Test - Approved by FDA
- First Aid Fast Facts
- Appendicitis: Is It Appendicitis or Something Else?
- Doctors Answer Digestion Questions
- Hospitals: Can Yours Handle Your Emergency?
- Appendicitis Treatment with Antibiotics
- Abdominal Pain: Questions to Ask Your Doctor
- Antibiotics 101
- Ask the Experts - Gastroentrology (Digestion)
Medications & Supplements
Prevention & Wellness
- Antibiotics May Be Best First Treatment for Appendicitis
- Measles Complications Can Affect Every Organ: Study
- Does Removing Your Appendix Put You at Risk for Parkinson's?
- Health Tip: Appendectomy
- You Can Have a Role to Play in ER Care
- Could the Appendix Be Key to Parkinson's Disease?
- Antibiotics May Cure Appendicitis -- No Operation Needed
- Health Tip: Learn Symptoms of Appendicitis
- Could Your Colonoscopy Raise Your Risk for Appendicitis?
- Surgery or Antibiotics for Appendicitis? Here's What Patients Chose
- Is Surgery Always Needed for Kids' Appendicitis?
- Emergency Surgery Riskier for Kids in Poorer Countries
- Mild Appendicitis Complication Rates Similar for Surgery, Antibiotics
- Antibiotics Often Enough for Kids' Appendicitis
- Antibiotics May Not Help After 'Complicated' Appendectomy
- CT Scan Use in Kids Fell Over Past Decade
- Appendicitis Can Often Be Treated With Antibiotics
- Child's Appendix More Likely to Rupture in Regions Short of Surgeons
- Appendix Removal Isn't Riskier on Weekend, Study Says
- Smoggy Days May Raise Your Odds for Burst Appendix
- Hospital Type Linked to Racial Disparities in Kids With Appendicitis Complication
- Speed Bumps May Aid Appendicitis Diagnosis
- Study Downplays Risk of CT Scans
- Low-Radiation CT Scans Effective at Spotting Appendicitis: Study
- Hospital Charges Show Huge Variance in Study
- Antibiotics for Appendicitis an Option for Some
- Many Medical Tests, Procedures Not Always Needed
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