The National Digestive Diseases Clearinghouse, a service of the National Institutes of Health, describes the appendix as a "finger-like pouch" that is connected to the large intestine and is located in the lower right abdomen. The specific purpose of the appendix is unknown, but it does produce mucus that flows into the large intestine. Many people have had surgical removal of the appendix, and their body functions quite normally without this organ. When the appendix is inflamed, the condition is called appendicitis, which has multiple associated symptoms.
Pain
According to the Mayo Clinic, appendicitis is quite painful. The pain often begins as an ache around the belly button, and then shifts to the right lower abdomen. The pain may slowly escalate over several hours. The abdomen may also feel very tender when pressure is applied, especially in the lower right region of the abdomen. "Rebound tenderness" may occur, which the Mayo Clinic describes as very sharp pain that is felt when pressure is applied to the abdomen, but dissipates when the pressure is released. The person may experience a worsening of the pain when coughing, walking, or otherwise moving around.
Digestive Symptoms
Because the appendix is part of the digestive tract, inflammation of the appendix may cause symptoms associated with digestion. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center and the Mayo Clinic, these digestive symptoms include loss of appetite; nausea and/or vomiting; diarrhea or constipation; and feeling the need to pass gas, but being unable to do so.
Fever
The National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse notes that a fever may accompany appendicitis, though it is usually "low-grade," meaning the temperature does not rise too high over 100 degrees F. The fever usually begins after the onset of other symptoms, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center.
