The appendix is a 3 and a half inch long tube of tissue that extends off of the large intestine. It's function is unknown, and we can live without it, if necessary.

Appendicitis is a medical emergency that requires prompt surgery to remove the appendix. Left untreated, an inflamed appendix can eventually burst, spilling infectious materials into the abdomen. The results of this can lead to death.

The classic symptoms of appendicitis are:

• Dull pain near the upper abdomen
• Loss of appetite
• Nausea
• Abdominal swelling
• Fever
• Inability to pass gas

There are other, less common, symptoms that could accompany appendicitis. If you have any of the mentioned symptoms, seek medical attention immediately.