People suffering from appendicitis can often times confuse the symptoms with those of heartburn or something else.

College student Philip Hubeck explains "My stomach started hurting real bad on one side, the right side. And I figured it was because of stress at that time because I had a lot of school work to do and I stayed up all night pretty much."

But Philip wasn't stressed--- he had appendicitis. Surgeon Jacob Goldberger says that not everyone has the same symptoms but the first sign of appendicitis usually involves pain in the abdomen, first around the belly button and then moving to the lower right area. "It becomes infected, it gives patients problems, they become quite ill, that's what we call an appendectomy, we need an appendectomy to remove an infected appendix."

The most serious complication that results from appendicitis is known as a rupture and when that happens the body can become toxic. Philip knows "It was a close call, a couple of hours before it would have burst is what the doctor told me."

Philip had his appendix removed and is now playing a different tune about ignoring any type of pain. "I highly recommend everyone who feels pain in their lower part of their body to immediately get themselves checked because it can go so fast. It's definitely something to take seriously."

Other symptoms of appendicitis can include a low grade fever, loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting.

Anyone can develop appendicitis, but it most often strikes people between the ages of 10 and 30.