Appendicitis occurs when you have inflammation of the appendix — a tiny structure attached to the small intestine. This can happen when the appendix gets blocked, infected, or inflamed. Appendicitis can cause severe abdominal pain. Most commonly, the pain starts near the belly button and moves down to the lower right side of the belly.
It’s important to seek medical attention if you have appendicitis, because treatment often involves surgery to remove the appendix. This quiz can help you figure out if you have symptoms of appendicitis and when to seek help.
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Written by:
Karla Robinson, MDKarla Robinson, MD, is a medical editor for GoodRx. She is a licensed, board-certified family physician with almost 20 years of experience in health through varied clinical, administrative, and educational roles.

Reviewed by:
Patricia Pinto-Garcia, MD, MPHPatricia Pinto-Garcia, MD, MPH, is a medical editor at GoodRx. She is a licensed, board-certified pediatrician with more than a decade of experience in academic medicine.




