By printing and/or reading this article, you agree that you accept all terms and conditions of use, as specified online. Appendicitis It doesn't seem to serve any purpose, but every year one in 500 of us ends up in the hospital because of it. The appendix is a small portion of the large intestine or colon that hangs down on the lower right side. If it becomes infected, it can cause pain and even burst, causing other infections and even death. Over our lifetimes, we have a 7 percent chance of getting appendicitis, according to the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP). Most appendicitis patients are between 11 and 20, and for some reason most cases occur in the winter between October and May. Causes and symptoms Appendicitis usually occurs if the small 3 inch long appendix's entrance to the colon becomes blocked. That could be the result of a viral infection (Read about "Microorganisms"), feces or even a tumor. The appendix becomes inflamed. That is appendicitis. The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) lists the following symptoms: pain in the right side of the lower abdomen, which usually begins near the navel and then moves down and to the right nausea vomiting constipation (Read about "Constipation") diarrhea (Read about "Diarrhea") inability to pass gas a low fever that begins after the other symptoms abdominal swelling In addition, the lower right abdomen will be very tender. The risk of a rupture and serious complications make appendicitis an emergency. Anyone with these symptoms should see a doctor immediately. The death rate for people whose appendix hasn't ruptured is under 1 percent, according to AAFP, but climbs to 5 percent if the appendix bursts. That rate is higher for the elderly and the very young. Tests and treatment The main test to confirm appendicitis is a physical exam. The doctor will also run some tests to check for other signs of signs of infection such as a urinary tract infection. (Read about "Urinary Tract Infections") Ultrasound and CT scans (Read about "Ultrasound Imaging" "CT Scan - Computerized Tomography") are being used more and more to check for an inflamed appendix according to NIDDK. The treatment for appendicitis is surgery. Laparoscopic surgery is beginning to become the surgery of choice. (Read about "Endoscopy") However, because it can take longer than regular surgery its use depends on the acute nature of the situation. If the appendix bursts, it results in what is called peritonitis, which is an infection of the abdominal cavity. It requires intensive intravenous antibiotics (Read about "Antibiotics") to stop the infection and can be life threatening. Related Information:     Digestive System All Concept Communications material is provided for information only and is neither advice nor a substitute for proper medical care. Consult a qualified healthcare professional who understands your particular history for individual concerns. © Concept Communications Media Group LLC Online health topics reviewed/modified in 2008 | Terms of Use/Privacy Policy By printing and/or reading this article, you agree that you accept all terms and conditions of use, as specified online.