Can appendicitis cause back pain?

Written by Ren Zheng Xin
Gastroenterology
Updated on March 07, 2025
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Appendicitis located posterior to the peritoneum generally causes back pain, along with gastrointestinal irritation symptoms such as nausea and vomiting. Appendicitis at the cecum location will cause pain in the lower right abdomen, with significant tenderness and rebound pain at McBurney's point. Once appendicitis is diagnosed, it is most often treated surgically. Currently, laparoscopic appendectomy is commonly used. This method involves less bleeding during surgery and a faster recovery thereafter. Postoperative care is important, including regular dressing changes of the surgical incision. The stitches can usually be removed about a week after surgery. Dietary adjustments are necessary after surgery, starting with a semi-liquid diet and gradually transitioning to a normal diet. At least two weeks of rest are recommended postoperatively.

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Is chronic appendicitis serious?

Chronic appendicitis can achieve good treatment outcomes through active surgical treatment or conservative treatment, and the cases of appendicitis here are not severe. However, a very small portion of patients with chronic appendicitis, especially those with underlying diseases such as diabetes, are at risk of developing a purulent infection of the appendix, which can lead to perforation of the appendix and result in diffuse peritonitis, sepsis, septic shock, and multiple organ failure. Thus, it can be said that there are indeed a few severe cases among patients with chronic appendicitis.

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Written by Ren Zheng Xin
Gastroenterology
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Does appendicitis cause vomiting?

Appendicitis can cause vomiting. An acute appendicitis attack presents with distinct symptoms such as severe abdominal pain, high fever, nausea, and vomiting. The main reason is the inflammation of the appendix lumen, which reflexively causes vomiting. For appendicitis, once diagnosed, surgery is generally required. Currently, there are two surgical approaches: laparoscopic appendectomy and appendectomy via McBurney's point. Laparoscopic appendectomy is more common and involves less intraoperative bleeding and faster postoperative recovery. Postoperatively, it is important to enhance nursing care by eating more vegetables, drinking plenty of water, and ensuring that stools are softened.

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Written by Ren Zheng Xin
Gastroenterology
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How to relieve pain from acute appendicitis

For rapid pain relief in acute appendicitis, one can choose antispasmodic or sedative medications. However, it is important to note that acute appendicitis often requires surgical treatment clinically. If the pain is not particularly severe, conservative medication treatment can also be chosen, using sensitive antibiotics for anti-inflammatory pain relief. If surgery involves appendectomy, laparoscopic appendectomy is generally chosen, which has less intraoperative bleeding and quicker postoperative recovery. Only after the appendix is removed can the onset of acute appendicitis be effectively controlled or the transition from acute to chronic appendicitis prevented. (Specific medications should be used under the guidance of a physician.)

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Written by Ren Zheng Xin
Gastroenterology
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What should I do about acute appendicitis?

Once acute appendicitis is diagnosed and surgical contraindications are ruled out, appendectomy is usually performed. Currently, the most common method is laparoscopic appendectomy, which results in less intraoperative bleeding and quicker postoperative recovery. After the surgery, depending on the severity of the appendicitis, the use of antibiotics may be considered. Additionally, fasting is required on the day of the surgery, and a semi-liquid diet may be chosen for the first one or two days post-surgery. Three to four days after the surgery, foods like egg custard, vegetable soup, and rice can be eaten, before gradually transitioning back to a normal diet.

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Written by Xu Jun Hui
General Surgery
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Causes of Appendicitis

The appendix is connected to the cecum at one end, has a narrow lumen, and is rich in lymphatic tissue. The anatomical basis of the appendix makes it prone to inflammation. Generally, appendicitis is caused by different obstructions in the appendix, such as fecaliths, fecal masses, food residues, and parasites like roundworms, which can all lead to obstruction of the appendix and trigger acute appendicitis. Additionally, gastrointestinal dysfunction can also cause spasms and contractions of the muscles in the appendix wall, affecting the emptying of the appendix and its blood circulation, leading to inflammation of the appendix. Appendicitis requires timely treatment, and surgery might be necessary for symptomatic support.