What is Appendicitis?
Appendicitis is a medical condition where there is inflammation of the appendix resulting in acute abdominal pain.(1) The appendix is situated where the large intestine ends and is shaped like a small tube, and it has no clear function.(1) Infection causes appendix inflammation caused by the blockages in the blood supply. It is advisable to follow a proper appendicitis diet. It is important to avoid fatty foods, which are hard to digest and sugary foods which can trigger appendicitis symptoms. It is also important to quit alcohol when suffering from appendicitis.
What are the Causes of Appendicitis?
Appendicitis is caused by any sort of blockage in the appendix lumen.(1) Any sort of infection of the digestive tract, which causes swelling of the lymph nodes or stone in the appendix that puts pressure on the appendix results in obstructions.(1, 2) This then leads to inflammation of the appendix, as there is decreased blood supply. Other causes of appendicitis include genetic causes and abdominal trauma.(3, 4) If the obstruction is not treated, then it can lead to rupture of the appendix, resulting in serious complications.
What are the Symptoms of Appendicitis?
Common symptoms of appendicitis include: appetite loss, severe pain in abdomen and around the belly button; nausea, inability to pass gas; diarrhea or constipation; low grade fever; abdominal swelling and a feeling of unease in the lower abdomen.(1, 5)
What Are the Foods to Eat and Avoid If You Have Appendicitis?
Following a healthy diet consisting of certain types of food can help in managing the symptoms of appendicitis. Similarly, it is important to avoid certain foods that worsen your appendicitis.
Foods to Eat in Appendicitis(6)
Vegetable Juices, such as cucumber, radish, spinach, beetroots, coriander and carrots juice helps in decreasing the pain from appendicitis along with them being a healthy source of the important nutrients and helping with the symptoms of appendicitis.
Fenugreek seeds help in decreasing the pain by cutting down the pus and mucus formation in the appendix. Boil two tablespoons of fenugreek seeds in 1 liter of water for half an hour. Allow it to cool and drink it twice a day.
Buttermilk is beneficial in symptoms of appendicitis and making it part of your daily diet helps a lot with appendicitis.
Brown rice is beneficial in providing the necessary nutrients and helps in your overall health.
Mint is also great in soothing various appendicitis symptoms, such as flatulence, nausea and vomiting. Drink mint tea thrice a day by boiling a few mint leaves in water. You can also chew on some mint leaves.
Ginger is famous for its medicinal properties which are detoxifying and anti-inflammatory in nature with many health benefits. Have a concoction of ginger, honey and turmeric twice a day for helping with nausea, swelling and other symptoms of appendicitis.
Foods to Avoid in Appendicitis(6)
Fatty foods are hard to digest and hence worse the appendicitis symptoms. Stay away from fatty foods as much as possible when suffering from appendicitis.
Fried foods worsen the symptoms of appendicitis as they are detrimental for the digestive health. It is important to stay away from fried and junk when suffering from appendicitis.
Alcohol is extremely bad to consume when having appendicitis and it is important to stop drinking alcohol, as it can worsen your appendicitis.
Sugar except found naturally in fruits is bad for health and can trigger diarrhea and make your appendicitis worse. Avoid sugary foods, such as chocolates and sweets and cut down on the sugar intake daily.
Conclusion
Suffering from appendicitis is very painful and it needs immediate medical attention; however, consumption of certain foods helps deal with the symptoms of appendicitis better. Liquid diet is better to follow that consists of fruit and vegetable juices. Soft food to include steamed and mashed vegetables are also good to eat when suffering from appendicitis.
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