Can appendicitis cause vomiting?

Written by Xu Jun Hui
General Surgery
Updated on December 10, 2024
00:00
00:00

Some patients with appendicitis may experience symptoms such as nausea and vomiting. This is because the appendix is located in the lower right abdomen near the ileocecal area, and the appendix cavity is connected to the cecum. The appendix is an independent organ of the human digestive tract. When inflamed, the inflammation can easily irritate the surrounding intestines, causing intestinal spasms and contractions, leading to nausea and vomiting. A typical manifestation of appendicitis is referred pain in the lower right abdomen. Once appendicitis is diagnosed, it is advisable to promptly start anti-inflammatory treatment and, if necessary, proceed with surgical treatment. Appendicitis can range from acute simple appendicitis, which responds well to conservative anti-inflammatory treatment, to acute suppurative or even perforated appendicitis. In these severe cases, it is recommended to perform surgery as soon as possible to remove the appendix and clear the inflammatory secretions, alongside anti-inflammatory treatment.

Other Voices

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Ren Zheng Xin
Gastroenterology
45sec home-news-image

Postoperative diet for acute appendicitis

Postoperative diet for acute appendicitis should be taken with special attention. On the day of the surgery, no food should be consumed. After waiting for anal gas to pass, which typically occurs on the first day post-surgery, a semi-liquid diet can be chosen, consisting of easily digestible foods such as rice porridge, millet congee, and vegetable soup. From the third to the fifth day post-surgery, a normal diet can be resumed, including eating eggs and meat to supplement proteins and dietary fibers, which help the incision heal. Vegetables and fruits should also be consumed to prevent constipation. Additionally, proper care should be taken of the incision site, including regular dressing changes.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Zhang Peng
General Surgery
47sec home-news-image

Where does appendicitis hurt?

In general clinical practice, the pain associated with appendicitis mostly occurs in the lower right abdomen. Some patients experience very typical migratory right lower abdominal pain which usually starts in the upper abdomen, gradually moves around the navel, and finally localizes in the lower right abdomen. Direct pain in the lower right abdomen could also be indicative of appendicitis. In rare cases, if there is a reversal of organs or an abnormal position of the appendix, pain may occur in the upper right abdomen or lower abdomen as well. For pregnant women, the appendix may be positioned higher and could cause pain under the rib cage. Therefore, the diagnosis of appendicitis should be based on the specific condition of the patient and related diagnostic tests.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Ren Zheng Xin
Gastroenterology
51sec home-news-image

Appendicitis complications

Appendicitis is the inflammation of the appendix lumen. If not treated promptly, it can lead to several complications, such as perforation of the appendix. After perforation, pus from the appendix lumen leaks into the abdominal cavity, causing peritonitis, which leads to abdominal pain, tenderness, and rebound pain. Furthermore, if acute appendicitis is not thoroughly treated, it can progress to chronic appendicitis and periappendiceal abscess. A swollen mass can often be felt on the surface of the abdomen in affected patients. Therefore, active treatment for appendicitis is essential. The principle treatment is surgical removal of the appendix. For mild cases of appendicitis, medical conservative observation and treatment can also be chosen.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Zhang Peng
General Surgery
1min home-news-image

Characteristics of Appendicitis Pain

The most typical pain manifestation of appendicitis is migratory pain, which generally starts in the upper abdomen or around the navel, and in most cases moves to the lower right abdomen and becomes fixed within a few hours. During physical examination, the pain usually localizes to a fixed point in the lower right abdomen, typically at McBurney's point, although this can vary with the position of the appendix. However, as the condition of the appendix progresses, such as when it becomes purulent or even gangrenous, the inflammation worsens and the area of tenderness can expand. This is mostly manifested by symptoms of peritoneal irritation, which are generally indicative of the timing for surgery. In most cases of appendicitis where the diagnosis is clear, early surgical intervention is recommended, as surgery is the only cure. Most patients who improve with conservative treatment are likely to experience recurrence later on.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Ren Zheng Xin
Gastroenterology
44sec home-news-image

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.