Conditions

Acute Appendicitis

Acute inflammation of the appendix, requiring immediate surgical treatment.

Common symptoms

  • Sudden pain around the navel that shifts to the lower right abdomen
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • A low-grade fever
  • Loss of appetite

Acute appendicitis is acute inflammation of the appendix, a small section of the large bowel. It presents with sudden pain around the navel that shifts and localises to the lower right abdomen, accompanied by nausea, vomiting, a low-grade fever and loss of appetite.

How we approach it

This requires immediate clinical and laboratory assessment and, usually, urgent laparoscopic appendectomy.

This information is for general guidance and does not replace personalised medical advice.