Can Stress or Anxiety Lead to Appendicitis?
Stress and anxiety can’t directly cause appendicitis. But they may contribute to problems with your gastrointestinal system, which can sometimes lead to appendicitis or cause other types of abdominal pain.
Ever feel so stressed that you can feel it in your gut?
That’s actually quite typical, as abdominal pain is a common symptom of stress. Scientists continue to research the connection between the brain and the digestive system, but we do know that stress and stress-related disorders, like anxiety and depression, can affect our gut health.
So, can stress affect your appendix?
Your appendix is a small organ connected to your large intestine. Though it’s only 3 to 4 inches long, an inflamed appendix (appendicitis) can cause serious health problems. Left untreated, your appendix might rupture, which could be fatal.
Keep reading to learn if stress can cause appendicitis. We’ll also look at what else might be causing you abdominal pain and provide tips on preventing appendicitis.
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Appendicitis symptoms
The hallmark symptom of appendicitis is a cramping pain in your lower right abdomen. But you may also experience:
- loss of appetite
- nausea and vomiting
- fever
- abdominal swelling
- diarrhea or constipation
- malaise
Symptoms usually come on quickly, within a span of 24 hours .
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The idea that stress may be linked to appendicitis has existed for several decades. A 1992 study of a group of people who had appendectomies (surgeries to remove their appendix) suggested a weak link between appendicitis and major stressful events, like a car accident or job loss.
The study also found a weak link between appendicitis and persistent and frequent goal frustration (short-term stressors) over 26 weeks.
But the study authors were clear that this did not suggest that stress caused appendicitis. They expressed the need for more research.
Stress and your gut
No research since then has been able to shed more light on whether stress can cause appendicitis. But we have learned a lot about stress and gastrointestinal (GI) health in general.
According to a 2017 review , stress can contribute to chronic visceral pain. This may be due to the gut-brain axis, a connection between your nervous and digestive systems. Researchers also suggest that early life stressors like abuse, poverty, or neglect can contribute to visceral pain.
Research has also linked stress to increased pain from irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). According to a 2020 study, IBS may be a risk factor for appendicitis.
Stress and your immune system
Research also suggests that stress can affect your immune system. This makes you more susceptible to infection and inflammation, which can cause appendicitis.
