This is What Losing Your Appendix Really Does to Your Health

You may already be familiar with how dangerous appendix pain (brought on by appendicitis) can be. People have died from the rupturing of this little organ. It is surprising to think that an organ without any purpose can become so life threatening. However, new research shows that its presence isn’t without purpose; its a key player in digestive and immune health, which effects the whole body!

Appendix: A Key Player of the Digestive and Immune Systems

The common idea about the appendix is that it has no function, and is an organ our species has yet to lose via the evolutionary process. However, research keys into special features of the appendix, which suggests that it does play a fundamental role in our body. The presence of healthy bacteria in the appendix, as well as the setup of tissue in the appendix, show that it plays a key role in our digestive and immune systems.

At some point, we are told that not all bacteria is bad for us, and it’s true. Good bacteria cover the outside of the intestines and live in the gut to help us. Healthy bacteria in the gut help out in breaking down food and support the body in absorbing nutrients. This system of bacteria influences our body with invisible hands, affecting our ability to lose weight, manage inflammation and deal with emotional factors, amongst other things.

The appendix houses a lot of healthy gut bacteria, and a diverse range of bacteria, making its bacterial demographic unique in comparison to the rest of the body. It is safely tucked away from being contaminated by fecal matter and the bad bacteria that brings, making it a “hygienic” place for our good bacteria to live and grow. According to research and scientific ideas so far, the appendix can be a place that helps create healthy bacteria our systems need and/or is a place where good bacteria lure and tackle the bad bacteria.

According to foodregenade.com, the appendix also contains tissue which is associated with the lymphatic system. This system works to move around infection-fighting white blood cells. This type of tissue helps beneficial bacteria grow in the gut. This healthy growth helps keep the appendix healthy.

As we are serious about our health and well-being, we want to take care of the appendix and help our bodies keep a healthy balance of healthy bacteria. Further down, we share simple tips we can add to our daily living to do so. However, first there is an immediate danger we need to know about.

Appendicitis: Causes and Dangers

If we experience pain in the “naval or upper abdomen that becomes sharper as it moves to the lower right abdomen” or fever and abdominal swelling, we need to act quickly! This is a common symptom of appendicitis, a common yet life-threatening swelling and potential rupture of the appendix. Another symptom can be experiencing nausea/vomiting after feeling such pain, and being unable to pass gas. If experiencing such symptoms, we need to go to the hospital fast.

According to WebMD, this condition happens when “stool, a foreign body, or cancer” blocks the appendix. However, more information on the appendix shows that a bacterial imbalance can cause inflammation in the appendix, leading to this condition. Having a well working and efficient system of healthy bacteria in our bodies is so important to our bodies. So, how do we support this system?

How to Prevent Appendicitis

Eating the Right Food

A diet that supports the balance of good bacteria in the gut and surrounding areas is life-changing. Having foods that are prebiotic and probiotic is a key way to do so. Organic yoghurt (my favourite is plain organic greek yoghurt) and kefir (you can have coconut milk kefir if you don’t like dairy) are high in probiotics. We want to check to make sure they are of the live culture variety (check box). Getting good amounts of soluble fibre is also very helpful, as it feeds the good bacteria in our colones.

Yay Sleep

We could become even more persistent about bedtimes than our parents/caregivers were if we realize how crucial quality sleep is for our minds and bodies. Good quality good quantity sleep
helps our bodies produce hormones such as “melatonin and prolactin, which have been found to improve the bacteria balance and help with digestion”. This will in turn effect the health of our appendix as well.

Keep a Healthy Weight

Obesity can effect the health and wellbeing of our bodies in negative ways. For example, some women become more susceptible to reproductive disorders such as PCOS due to gaining too much weight. Obesity negatively effects the diversity in the bacteria in our bodies, which negatively effects the balance of good bacteria in our bodies, and harms our appendix. The goal is to have a healthy weight as per our unique bodies, and an effective way to measure that is through measuring our BMI.

For the Sake of Appendix

What we can physically see of our bodies on a day to day basis is limited. What we can imagine to take place in our bodies is limited as well. There is a complex yet interconnected web that works in our bodies every day with the aim to help us live our lives. We can support our bodies in their mission by finding out more and taking healthy steps.