These symptoms may warrant a call to your doctor or a trip to the emergency room.

Most people are pretty familiar with run-of-the-mill tummy troubles like constipation and diarrhoea. You've probably also had the displeasure of experiencing food poisoning or a stomach virus at least once or twice in your life. While appendicitis is much less common, about 5% of the population eventually ends up with it, and if you fall into that unlucky group, you'll need to figure it out as soon as possible.

"If it is not treated, your appendix can rupture, which can be life-threatening," says Dr Jennifer Caudle

Not every case of appendicitis will lead to the organ bursting, but the longer the condition goes unchecked, the greater the risk. Here are some warning signs that warrant a call to your doc or maybe even a trip to the ER.

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