Causes of Chronic Appendicitis

Written by Li Jin Quan
General Surgery
Updated on May 09, 2025
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The causes of chronic appendicitis mainly include three aspects. First, the narrowing of the appendiceal lumen. Most cases of chronic appendicitis have a history of acute appendicitis attacks. Long-term recurrent chronic inflammation can lead to thickening of the appendiceal wall, narrowing of the appendiceal lumen, and weakened peristalsis of the appendix. Second, obstruction within the appendiceal lumen by fecaliths is also a common cause of chronic appendicitis. Third, enlarged lymph nodes in the abdominal cavity can compress the appendiceal lumen, causing narrowing and repeated bacterial infections in the appendix. These are the common causes of chronic appendicitis.

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Does appendicitis hurt?

Appendicitis is generally divided into chronic and acute appendicitis. Both chronic and acute appendicitis can cause pain, which is usually severe. In cases of acute appendicitis, if the pain subsides after a while, it is actually more dangerous. It may indicate complications such as intestinal perforation or intestinal necrosis, leading to gradually diminishing pain. In such cases, timely surgical removal is necessary; otherwise, if local ulceration occurs, it can potentially affect the entire intestine. Thus, appendicitis generally causes pain, especially during the chronic phase. The pain is quite noticeable and, although generally bearable, can directly impact the quality of life.

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Is appendicitis prone to recurrence?

Appendicitis, if treated by surgically removing the appendix, generally does not recur and can be cured. However, if one only uses medication to control the symptoms during an attack of appendicitis, it can easily recur. For appendicitis, laparoscopic appendectomy is currently the preferred surgical treatment. This method involves less bleeding during surgery and quicker recovery post-surgery. For elderly or frail patients who cannot tolerate general anesthesia, the traditional surgical method involving an incision at McBurney's point can be chosen. With this method, it is important to rest more. Patients can usually be discharged about a week after surgery. Postoperative care should be strengthened, dietary adjustments should be made, and more vegetables should be eaten to prevent constipation.

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Causes of Appendicitis

Appendicitis is caused by both anatomical factors of the body and lifestyle dietary patterns. The appendix is a tube that is open at one end and closed at the other, communicating with the cecum. Due to its narrow and long nature, it is easy for fecal matter to block the appendix, leading to increased pressure within the tube, mucosal ischemia necrosis, and subsequently triggering inflammation. Additionally, irregular eating habits, such as binge eating, habitual drinking, and consumption of spicy food, can provoke inflammation of the appendix. Once appendicitis is diagnosed, it is mostly treated surgically. The laparoscopic appendectomy is commonly used nowadays, which is a minimally invasive treatment that allows for a faster recovery and leaves smaller scars on the body surface.

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Is appendicitis nauseating?

Appendicitis can cause nausea, primarily due to inflammation stimulating spasms in the gastrointestinal tract. In addition to nausea, symptoms include vomiting, abdominal pain, tenderness in the abdomen, and rebound pain. If vomiting and nausea are severe, timely appendectomy should be performed. Currently, laparoscopic appendectomy is common. This surgical method involves less bleeding during surgery and quicker postoperative recovery. After surgery, a semi-liquid diet can be chosen on days 1 to 2, and a normal diet can be resumed on days 3 to 5. It is also important to consume more vegetables and increase the intake of plant-based fiber thereafter.

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Appendicitis surgery, how many days to discharge?

This is directly related to the surgical method. If it is a laparoscopic appendectomy, this is a minimally invasive treatment, and recovery is quick; patients generally can be discharged from the hospital three days post-surgery, and sutures can be removed at a scheduled follow-up visit. If it is the traditional surgery method through McBurney's point incision, this method also allows for quick recovery, and patients can be discharged after the sutures are removed. Additionally, this also relates to the patient's physique and the severity of their condition. For elderly patients, the hospital stay may be extended. If the appendix has a clear perforation or causes diffuse peritonitis, the use of antibiotics must be intensified post-surgery, hence extending the treatment period. (The use of medications should be conducted under the guidance of a doctor)