The appendix is an organ we tend not to think about until it acts up, causes illness and needs to be removed surgically.

Appendicitis progresses through four stages: simple (inflammation without complications), suppurative (inflammation with pus and ulcers), gangrenous (tissue death), and perforated (ruptured appendix).

There are many, many different causes of stomach aches, from stress and medications to food poisoning and GI conditions. But when your minor stomach problems turn serious, they may mean you need your ...

Stump appendicitis is a rare complication that occurs when the residual appendix becomes inflamed after an appendectomy. It is estimated to occur in between 0.002% and 0.15% of cases, although it may ...

This small organ can cause big problems when inflammation sets in, potentially leading to life-threatening complications if left untreated. That nagging pain in your abdomen might be more than just a ...

Appendicitis is not an inherited condition, but genetics may play a role. However, the cause of appendicitis is often unclear. Appendicitis refers to inflammation of the appendix. An infection may ...

For years, the appendix carried a reputation as the body’s most pointless organ. Doctors often removed it without hesitation, and textbooks labeled it a vestigial structure—something our ancestors ...

That sudden pain in your abdomen might just be indigestion—or it could be something far more serious. When it comes to appendicitis, knowing the difference could save your life. This potentially ...