How long does acute appendicitis hurt?

Written by Ren Zheng Xin
Gastroenterology
Updated on February 24, 2025
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The pain associated with appendicitis is directly related to the severity of the inflammation. If the inflammation is mild, pain can be significantly relieved after using antispasmodic analgesics. However, if acute appendicitis leads to a suppurative appendix or perforation, the abdominal pain will last for a very long time, accompanied by signs of peritoneal irritation, such as tenderness and rebound pain in the abdomen. Therefore, the main principle of treating acute appendicitis is to perform surgery to remove the suppurative appendix. Currently, laparoscopic appendectomy is a viable option, as it involves less bleeding and allows for a faster postoperative recovery.

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Written by Ren Zheng Xin
Gastroenterology
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Acute appendicitis pain is on that side.

In the initial stages of acute appendicitis, pain can occur in the left side of the abdomen, then gradually move around the navel, and eventually becomes fixed in the lower right abdomen. The typical symptom of appendicitis is migratory pain in the lower right abdomen, which becomes severe upon pressing and intensifies when lifted, a phenomenon known as rebound tenderness. A small number of patients may experience pain in the lumbar and back areas, which could be due to inflammation caused by a retroperitoneal position. Based on the typical symptoms of appendicitis, a diagnosis cannot be confirmed. After confirmation, most cases require an appendectomy.

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Written by Ren Zheng Xin
Gastroenterology
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Appendicitis McBurney's point location

McBurney's point is a point of tenderness on the body surface during an episode of appendicitis, located on the right side of the abdomen, specifically at the outer third of the line connecting the navel to the right anterior superior iliac spine. If the appendix is significantly swollen or suppurative, there will be intense tenderness and rebound pain at McBurney's point. The tenderness and rebound pain at McBurney's point are also important physical examination signs for the clinical diagnosis of appendicitis. Based on the tenderness at McBurney's point, a preliminary diagnosis of appendicitis can be made, and then, the state of appendiceal swelling can be examined by abdominal ultrasound to choose a systematic treatment based on the results.

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Written by Ren Zheng Xin
Gastroenterology
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Causes of appendicitis

The main causes of appendicitis are the narrowing of the appendix lumen and the subsequent blockage of the appendix lumen. Bacterial infection can directly cause acute inflammation. Additionally, poor dietary habits in daily life can also trigger appendicitis. These include overeating and binge drinking, engaging in strenuous exercise right after eating, consuming strong tea, coffee, or spirits, neglecting rest, and excessive fatigue. Therefore, for the prevention of appendicitis, it is mainly important to develop regular lifestyle and eating habits, with meals at fixed times and in measured amounts, and consuming more vegetables to ensure the smooth functioning of the gastrointestinal tract.

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Written by Zhang Peng
General Surgery
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How long after appendicitis can one have intercourse?

Regarding how long after appendectomy one can engage in sexual activities, it mainly depends on the treatment method used and the healing status after the surgery. Most cases of appendicitis can be treated with minimally invasive techniques, which not only cause less trauma and allow for quicker recovery but also reduce postoperative complications. The abdomen typically has two to three small puncture holes, each about one centimeter in length, and most patients can achieve sufficient strength to engage in sexual activities about a month after surgery. However, for traditional open surgery, the abdominal incision is usually longer, which may lead to incision infection and poor healing of the incision, and it generally takes about three months to achieve sufficient strength. For acute appendicitis, minimally invasive treatment is generally recommended, provided the patient's condition permits.

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Written by Li Jin Quan
General Surgery
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Does chronic appendicitis cause fever?

Chronic appendicitis typically presents clinically as recurring pain and discomfort in the lower right abdomen. Usually, there are no signs of fever with chronic appendicitis. Only when the inflammation of chronic appendicitis is uncontrolled might a low-grade fever occur. Sometimes, when chronic appendicitis undergoes an acute episode and becomes a purulent infection, high fever can occur. In such cases of chronic appendicitis with high fever, complications like appendix perforation, diffuse peritonitis, and septicemia can arise. Therefore, if fever occurs in chronic appendicitis, timely anti-infection treatment should be administered. If the infection is not well-controlled, timely surgical treatment is recommended.