What can you eat with acute appendicitis?

Written by Ren Zheng Xin
Gastroenterology
Updated on May 12, 2025
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During an acute appendicitis attack, you must not eat or drink anything, and it's important to choose surgical treatment actively. Currently, laparoscopic appendectomy is commonly used. This method leads to less bleeding during surgery and quicker recovery afterward. In the postoperative recovery period, you can gradually eat some liquid foods such as rice soup, vegetable soup, and egg custard. Normal diet can be resumed after three days post-surgery, and eating nutritionally rich foods can help speed up recovery and improve physical condition. Regular care is required for the surgical incision, and stitches can generally be removed about a week later.

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Written by Ren Zheng Xin
Gastroenterology
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Symptoms of acute appendicitis

The typical symptoms of acute appendicitis include abdominal pain that starts around the upper abdomen or navel area, then localizes to the lower right abdomen. There are also manifestations of gastrointestinal spasms such as nausea and vomiting. Due to inflammation entering the bloodstream, there can be a systemic infection, often accompanied by fever, generally not exceeding 38 degrees Celsius. If there is an appendix perforation and peritonitis, the temperature can exceed 38 degrees. After the appendix becomes suppurative, symptoms can include abdominal muscle rigidity, dental pain, and rebound tenderness.

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Written by Ren Zheng Xin
Gastroenterology
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Acute Appendicitis Etiology

The cause of acute appendicitis is primarily bacterial infection of the appendiceal lumen due to various reasons. The appendix itself is a narrow tube connected to the cecum. If a fecalith falls into the lumen, it can cause obstruction of the appendiceal lumen, leading to an increase in intra-luminal pressure and circulatory disturbances in the appendiceal wall. At this time, the mucosa is susceptible to damage, and bacterial invasion of the wall can cause infections of varying degrees. Additionally, gastrointestinal dysfunction, such as diarrhea or constipation, can also cause spasms of the appendiceal vessels, leading to blood supply disturbances and resulting in acute inflammation.

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Written by Ren Zheng Xin
Gastroenterology
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How to medicate for acute appendicitis

Acute appendicitis is commonly treated surgically in clinical settings. Medication for acute appendicitis should be used with caution according to indications; if the appendix is not purulent, it is appropriate to use anti-inflammatory drugs to control the infection and choose sensitive antibiotics, such as quinolones. If the appendix becomes purulent or perforates, timely surgical treatment should be administered to prevent further exacerbation of appendicitis. Before and after the surgery, it is important to monitor whether the patient's symptoms and signs have significantly worsened. (Medications should be taken under the guidance of a physician and based on actual conditions)

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Written by Ren Zheng Xin
Gastroenterology
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The Difference Between Acute and Chronic Appendicitis

The differences between acute appendicitis and chronic appendicitis mainly lie in the onset of the condition, physical signs, and laboratory tests. First, regarding the onset of the condition, acute appendicitis occurs suddenly and can involve abrupt abdominal pain, whereas chronic appendicitis often manifests as fixed tenderness in the lower right abdomen and the symptoms are not particularly typical. In terms of physical signs, acute appendicitis presents with migratory pain in the lower right abdomen, while chronic appendicitis generally does not involve rebound pain. Thirdly, concerning auxiliary examinations, acute appendicitis shows a significant increase in the white blood cell count during an attack, whereas in chronic appendicitis, the white blood cell count may appear normal.

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Written by Li Jin Quan
General Surgery
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The difference between chronic appendicitis and acute appendicitis

The difference between chronic appendicitis and acute appendicitis is that most cases of chronic appendicitis are formed after the treatment of acute appendicitis. Chronic appendicitis and acute appendicitis display different symptoms. Acute appendicitis has typical migratory pain in the lower right abdomen, which initially appears in the upper abdomen and then moves to McBurney's point in the lower right abdomen. Chronic appendicitis, on the other hand, often lacks upper abdominal pain and initially presents with fixed discomfort or vague pain in the lower right abdomen. Only when chronic appendicitis acutely flares up does significant tenderness in the lower right abdomen occur, and rebound pain appears with peritonitis. Chronic appendicitis may also occasionally present with gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea and vomiting.