DefinitionAppendicitis is inflammation of the appendix. The appendix is a small pouch attached to the beginning of your large intestine.Causes, incidence, and risk factorsAppendicitis is one of the most common causes of emergency abdominal surgery in the United States. It usually occurs when the appendix becomes blocked by feces, a foreign object, or rarely, a tumor.SymptomsThe symptoms of appendicitis vary. It can be hard to diagnose appendicitis in young children, the elderly, and women of childbearing age.Typically, the first symptom is pain around your belly button. (See: Abdominal pain) The pain may be vague at first, but becomes increasingly sharp and severe. You may have reduced appetite, nausea, vomiting, and a low-grade fever.As the inflammation in the appendix increases, the pain