Appendicitis is an inflammation of the appendix, it caused by the blockage of the appendix followed by invasion of bacteria of the wall of the appendix. Appendicitis can be acute or chronic. It is usually referring to acute appendicitis, which generally begins with abdominal pain around the belly button that then migrated to the lower right abdomen and intensifies. Anyone can develop appendicitis, standard treatment is surgical removal of the appendix.

Symptoms

• Pain in your lower right belly or pain near your navel that moves lower.
• Nausea and vomiting, loss of appetite and low-grade fever that may worsen as the illness progresses
• Constipation or diarrhea 

Causes

• A blockage in the lining of the appendix that results in infection is the likely cause of appendicitis
• The bacteria multiply rapidly, causing the appendix to become inflamed

How is appendicitis diagnosed?

To help diagnose appendicitis, your doctor will likely to ask you have some tests and procedures:

• Blood test: check for a high white blood cell count, which may indicate an infection
• Imaging tests: to help confirm appendicitis or find other causes of your symptoms
• Physical exam to assess your pain: your doctor may apply pressure on the painful area in order to check the adjacent peritoneum is inflamed
• Urine tests: to rule out a urinary tract infection