What to eat with appendicitis

Written by Ren Zheng Xin
Gastroenterology
Updated on November 02, 2024
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During the acute phase of appendicitis, no food should be consumed. In the recovery or remission phase, a semi-liquid diet is appropriate, such as drinking rice soup, noodle soup, and vegetable soup, and consuming vegetables like Chinese cabbage and cabbage to supplement dietary fiber and vitamins. On the day of appendicitis surgery, eating is also prohibited. A semi-liquid diet is recommended for 1 to 2 days post-surgery, gradually transitioning to a normal diet over 3 to 5 days. After transitioning to a normal diet, foods like beef, lamb, and eggs can be consumed to supplement nutrients and promote wound healing.

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Written by Ren Zheng Xin
Gastroenterology
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What department should I go to for appendicitis?

Appendicitis is a very common disease in general surgery, so you can visit the general surgery department at the hospital. The main symptoms of appendicitis are abdominal pain, vomiting, or fever, with the pain being quite severe in acute cases. If the appendix becomes suppurative, it can lead to the formation of a peri-appendicular abscess or appendix perforation, which then causes peritoneal irritation. Active surgical treatment should be pursued, options include traditional removal surgery or laparoscopic appendix removal. Postoperative care should be tailored to the condition of the patient, and rest is essential.

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Written by Ren Zheng Xin
Gastroenterology
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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.

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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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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.