Appendicitis refers to acute inflammation of the appendix, and it’s the most common abdominal surgical emergency. About 250,000 appendectomies are done in the United States each year—though the incidence is much lower in the developing world. About 1 in 14 people will experience appendicitis during their lifetimes and will get their appendix removed. Almost all patients with appendicitis have pain. One recent report showed that a history of increased pain while driving to the hospital over bumpy roads correlates well with an appendicitis diagnosis.