More than 200,000 US cases per year
Requires a medical diagnosis
Lab tests or imaging often required
Treatable by a medical professional
Short-term: resolves within days to weeks

The appendix is a pouch on the colon that has no known purpose.
Appendicitis begins with pain near the belly button and then moves to the right side. This is often accompanied by nausea, vomiting, poor appetite, fever, and chills.
Appendicitis is usually treated with surgery and antibiotics. If untreated, the appendix can rupture and cause an abscess or systemic infection (sepsis).