Appendicitis (inflammation of the appendix) requires immediate
medical attention, so it's important to learn its symptoms — and
how they differ from a run-of-the-mill stomachache — so you can
seek medical care right away. The first symptoms of appendicitis
usually are a mild fever and pain around the bellybutton. The
pain usually worsens and moves to the lower right side of the
belly. Vomiting, diarrhea or constipation, and loss of appetite
are other common symptoms. Call your doctor immediately if you
suspect that your child has appendicitis. The earlier it's
caught, the easier it will be to treat. The appendix is a small
finger-like organ that's attached to the large intestine in the
lower right side of the abdomen. The inside of the appendix
forms a cul-de-sac that usually opens into the large intestine.
Blockage can be due to hard rock-like stool (called a fecolith),
inflammation of lymph nodes in the intestines, or even
parasites. Once the appendix is blocked, it becomes inflamed and
bacteria can overgro