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Appendicitis: Causes, Symptoms and Treatment Options

13-min read

Updated on 2026-9-25

Author: AIA Content Editorial Team

A man is pressing the right side of his abdomen because of pain from his appendix.

Many people have heard the warning that running or jumping immediately after a meal can cause Appendicitis. But is this medically accurate, or simply a widely repeated myth? When sharp pain develops in the lower right abdomen, it can be difficult to tell whether it is ordinary indigestion or an acute condition requiring urgent medical attention.

Understanding the actual causes of appendicitis, how the symptoms progress and the available treatment options can help dispel common misconceptions and support faster decisions when warning signs appear.

What is Appendicitis? Understanding the Anatomy of the Appendix

The condition commonly known as appendicitis is medically referred to as acute appendicitis.¹

The caecum is the first part of the large intestine. Attached to its end is a narrow, tube-shaped structure several centimetres long called the appendix. The appendix is located in the lower right abdomen. Because its internal passage is very narrow and opens into the caecum at only one end, it can easily become blocked.

The appendix was once widely regarded as a vestigial organ left over from human evolution. More recently, some researchers have suggested that it may play a role in maintaining the gut microbiome and supporting immune function. However, appendectomy is generally not considered to cause significant long-term effects on everyday digestion, and the digestive system can usually continue to function normally after the appendix is removed.²

Appendicitis Causes: Why Does Acute Inflammation Occur?

Appendicitis is primarily caused by an obstruction of the appendiceal lumen. When this narrow, one-way passage becomes blocked, bacteria can multiply rapidly within the enclosed space. This may lead to inflammation and infection, causing the appendix to swell, become congested, and in some cases, fill with pus.^1,2

Common causes of obstruction include:

Faecalith obstruction: This is the most common cause. A hardened piece of stool, known as a faecalith, becomes lodged inside the appendix.
Enlarged lymphoid tissue: Lymphoid tissue in the wall of the appendix may swell after a viral or bacterial infection, such as a respiratory infection or gastroenteritis, and compress the lumen. This is more common in younger patients.
Food residue or foreign material: In rare cases, undigested material such as fruit seeds may cause a blockage.
Parasitic infection: Infections such as pinworm may also obstruct the appendix.¹

Without timely treatment, impaired blood flow to the wall of the appendix may eventually cause tissue death and perforation. Pus containing large amounts of bacteria may then leak into the abdominal cavity and lead to serious complications.

Medical Myth: Can Exercise After Eating Cause Appendicitis?

The belief that exercising immediately after a meal causes appendicitis is a common health myth. Food is first partially digested in the stomach before passing through the small intestine. It takes several hours for digestion and absorption to occur before the remaining material gradually reaches the caecum at the beginning of the large intestine.³ It is therefore not possible for food to "fall into" the appendix shortly after a meal and cause inflammation.

Although running or jumping after eating does not directly cause appendicitis, vigorous exercise immediately after a meal may still irritate the digestive system and lead to abdominal discomfort, cramping or temporary pain.⁴ Possible reasons include:

Diaphragmatic cramping: Rapid breathing during exercise may cause the diaphragm to cramp.
Changes in blood distribution: The digestive system requires increased blood flow after eating. During strenuous exercise, blood may be redirected to the muscles in the limbs, potentially causing gastrointestinal cramping.
Movement of a full stomach: Running or jumping may physically jostle a stomach that is full of food.

How to Recognise Appendicitis Symptoms

Appendicitis pain does not necessarily begin in the lower right abdomen. A typical feature is the migration of pain, which is also one of the clinical signs doctors consider during diagnosis.¹

Early stage: Pain usually begins around the navel or in the upper abdomen. It may feel dull, vague or poorly localised and can easily be mistaken for an ordinary stomach ache or indigestion.
Migration stage: The pain gradually moves downwards and eventually becomes localised in the lower right abdomen, near McBurney's point. This point lies approximately one-third of the way from the right anterior superior iliac spine towards the navel. The pain may become sharp and persistent.
Associated symptoms: Patients commonly experience loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting and a mild fever.

Seek medical assessment promptly if the following signs develop:

Rebound tenderness: Pain suddenly becomes much more severe when pressure on the lower right abdomen is released.²
Severe pain with movement: Walking, coughing, turning in bed or jumping may cause intense pain in the lower right abdomen.
Difficulty standing upright: The pain may cause a person to bend forward instinctively to reduce tension in the abdomen.

Diagnosis and Treatment: Is Surgery Always Necessary?

When a patient arrives at an emergency department, a doctor will generally conduct a clinical examination and blood tests. Imaging tests, such as an abdominal ultrasound or computed tomography scan, may also be used to improve diagnostic accuracy.⁵

Treatment Options: Surgery or Conservative Management

Laparoscopic appendectomy: This is the mainstream treatment used to reduce the risk of appendiceal perforation and peritonitis. The surgeon makes several small incisions in the abdomen to remove the appendix. The wounds are smaller, and recovery time is generally shorter.
Conservative antibiotic treatment: For very early and mild cases with no signs of perforation, a doctor may consider strong antibiotics under close monitoring. However, the risk of recurrence remains higher, and surgery may still eventually be required.

Prevention and Practical Preparation

Health Considerations

Because appendicitis usually occurs suddenly, there is currently no method that can prevent every case. Maintaining regular bowel habits and eating a high-fibre diet containing whole grains, vegetables and fruit may support normal intestinal movement and could theoretically reduce the risk of faecalith formation.¹

Financial Preparation

Waiting times at public hospitals can be unpredictable, while surgery at a private hospital may cost tens of thousands or even more than HK$100,000. To prepare for an acute condition that can arise unexpectedly, AIA offers Voluntary Health Insurance Scheme plans and comprehensive medical insurance that generally cover eligible hospitalisation and surgical expenses for common emergency procedures such as appendectomy, subject to the relevant policy terms.

Planning for healthcare needs in advance may provide access to more treatment options when an unexpected health issue occurs, allowing patients to focus on recovery.

About Appendicitis FAQs

An ordinary stomach ache is often confined to the upper abdomen and may be directly related to eating habits. It may improve after taking stomach medicine. A typical feature of appendicitis is migrating pain that begins around the navel, gradually moves to the lower right abdomen and remains there. Rebound tenderness may also occur, while walking or coughing may noticeably worsen the pain^1,2.

Acute appendicitis is very unlikely to resolve without appropriate medical treatment. If left untreated, the inflamed and swollen appendix may rupture within a short period.² Once perforation occurs, bacteria-filled pus can leak into the abdominal cavity and cause potentially fatal peritonitis or sepsis.

After laparoscopic surgery, patients can usually resume simple daily activities within several days. However, they are generally advised to avoid lifting heavy objects and strenuous exercise, including running, swimming and weight training, for four to six weeks.⁵ This helps avoid interfering with wound healing and reduces the risk of an incisional hernia. The exact recovery period depends on individual progress and the advice of the treating doctor.

Yes. Children may be unable to describe the location of their pain accurately and may instead show persistent crying, refusal to eat, fever or a curled-up posture. Older adults may have less obvious pain and fever during the early stage because of reduced nerve sensitivity and a weaker immune response.⁵ These atypical symptoms may delay medical attention and increase the risk of perforation.

^{The above information is for Hong Kong and/ or Macau only. The content contains general information only and shall not constitute, nor be construed as, any sales advice, investment or insurance advice, product recommendation, solicitation and/or offer of services. This information does not take into account any person's financial situation or needs, and should not be relied upon as the sole basis for making any financial, investment or insurance decision. Customer must complete the Financial Needs Analysis before applying for any insurance product. The product information on this website is for reference only and does not contain the full terms of the product. For details of the product features, terms and conditions, exclusions and key product risks, please refer to the relevant product brochure and policy contract of the relevant products. In case you want to read a sample of the policy contract before making an application, you can obtain a copy from AIA. Life insurance policies are long-term contracts of insurance. Should you surrender the policy early, you may receive an amount considerably less than the total amount of premiums paid. AIA does not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of the content and information contained herein. AIA shall not assume any liability in respect of the content, services and/or products referred to in this information.

This article is owned by AIA, and may not be copied or reproduced without AIA's written consent. You may not copy or store this content on any other website or content platform. AIA reserves the absolute discretion to suspend or remove this article at any time without prior notice. In the event of any infringement and/or legal issues, AIA reserves the right to take appropriate legal action and seek compensation.}

^{This information is general information and for reference only, and should not be considered as a medical, diagnosis or professional recommendation, and cannot replace any medical, diagnosis or professional recommendation from doctors. Independent professional advice should be sought from an appropriate qualified medical professional (such as doctors) before making any decision on the topics mentioned above. Treatment may vary according to individual circumstances. If in doubt, you may ask your doctor. If necessary, you may seek other medical advice as soon as possible and do not ignore or delay seeking medical advice / treatment. AlA assumed no liability for any loss or damage arising directly or indirectly from the use, misuse, understanding or application of any of the above information.}

^1.Hong Kong Adventist Hospital, https://www.hkah.org.hk/en/conditions-and-treatments/appendicitis-explained-symptoms-causes-treatment-and-prevention, online source, accessed 22 June 2026.

^2.St. Paul’s Hospital, https://www.stpaul.org.hk/en/center-and-service/other-content/detail/appendicitis-vs-gastroenteritis-differences-symptoms-and-care, online source, accessed 22 June 2026.

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Appendicitis: Causes, Symptoms and Treatment Options

What is Appendicitis? Understanding the Anatomy of the Appendix

Appendicitis Causes: Why Does Acute Inflammation Occur?

Medical Myth: Can Exercise After Eating Cause Appendicitis?

How to Recognise Appendicitis Symptoms

Diagnosis and Treatment: Is Surgery Always Necessary?

Treatment Options: Surgery or Conservative Management