From the Guidelines
Constipation is not a direct cause of appendicitis. Appendicitis is primarily caused by obstruction of the appendix lumen, typically due to fecal matter (fecalith), lymphoid tissue enlargement, foreign bodies, or tumors 1. While constipation and appendicitis can sometimes occur together, they represent separate conditions with different underlying mechanisms. Constipation involves difficult or infrequent bowel movements in the large intestine, whereas appendicitis is an inflammation of the appendix, a small pouch attached to the beginning of the large intestine.
Some key points to consider:
- Constipation may be a problem in early stages of certain diseases, but it is rarely present when intestinal failure occurs, as discussed in the management of adult patients with severe chronic small intestinal dysmotility 1.
- The treatment of constipation often involves dietary changes, bulk-forming laxatives, osmotic laxatives, and stimulant laxatives, but these treatments do not directly impact the development of appendicitis.
- Appendicitis typically progresses with worsening pain that shifts to the lower right abdomen, along with fever, nausea, and vomiting, which are distinct from the symptoms of constipation.
It is essential to note that some people may mistakenly attribute their appendicitis pain to constipation initially because abdominal pain can be a symptom of both conditions. However, if you experience severe abdominal pain, especially if it migrates to the lower right abdomen and is accompanied by fever, seek immediate medical attention as appendicitis requires prompt medical evaluation and often surgical intervention.
From the Research
Relationship Between Constipation and Appendicitis
- The relationship between constipation and appendicitis is complex and not fully understood.
- A study published in 2020 2 found that patients with abdominal pain and constipation were more likely to have a missed diagnosis of appendicitis.
- However, this study does not suggest that constipation is a direct cause of appendicitis, but rather that it may be a contributing factor to the misdiagnosis of appendicitis.
Constipation as a Symptom
- Constipation is a common symptom of many conditions, including appendicitis.
- A study published in 2016 3 found that polyethylene glycol was an effective treatment for functional constipation.
- Another study published in 2021 4 found that bisacodyl was a effective treatment for constipation, but did not discuss its relationship to appendicitis.
Treatment of Constipation
- Several studies have investigated the effectiveness of different treatments for constipation, including polyethylene glycol 3, 5, 6 and bisacodyl 4, 6.
- These studies suggest that constipation can be effectively treated with a variety of medications and therapies, but do not provide evidence that constipation is a direct cause of appendicitis.