NEWSLETTER

What Does the Appendix

Do? Things to Know
 Function

 Appendicitis

 Diagnosis

 Treatment

 Outlook

What is your appendix?

Your appendix is a thin tube in your lower right abdomen. It sits where your
small intestine meets your large intestine.

Historically, many people have believed the appendix serves little purpose.
When it does get attention, it’s usually because it’s become infected. But the
reputation of the appendix is improving. Researchers are learning that your
appendix may play a role in good health. Experts are also developing less
invasive ways to treat infections of your appendix.

What does your appendix do?

Your appendix is a 4-inch-long tube. It’s attached to the first part of your large
intestine. Its exact function is unclear. Some people believe that it’s an
evolutionary holdover that provides no benefits to your health.

This conventional wisdom has led to the widespread use

of appendectomies to prevent and treat disease. For
example, appendicitis happens when your appendix becomes inflamed. If
you’re male, your lifetime risk of appendicitis is 8.6 percent, warn researchers
in the World Journal of Gastroenterology. If you’re female, your lifetime risk is
6.7 percent. To treat it, doctors would historically perform an appendectomy
to remove your appendix.

Many appendectomies are used to prevent rather than treat disease.

According to the study published in World Journal of Gastroenterology, the
rate of appendectomies is higher than the rate of appendicitis. An estimated
36 incidental appendectomies are required to prevent one case of
appendicitis.

Appendicitis can pose risks to your health, but so can surgery. Some people
wonder if preventive surgery is the best approach. Contrary to conventional
wisdom, your appendix might serve a purpose. It might be a haven for useful
bacteria in your body. These useful bacteria might help promote good
digestion and support your immune system.

For years, researchers have noticed that appendicitis increases when

communities introduce sanitary water systems. Such modern conveniences
may lead to fewer friendly organisms in our environments. This may lead to
“biome depletion” in your body. In turn, this may cause your immune system
to become overactive. It may leave your body vulnerable to certain disorders
such as, appendicitis.
What happens when your
appendix becomes inflamed?
When your appendix becomes inflamed, it’s called appendicitis. It’s usually
caused by a bacterial infection. The infection might start in your stomach and
travel to your appendix. It might also arise from a hardened piece of feces in
your intestinal tract.

The symptoms of appendicitis can vary. They can include:

 pain in the lower right part of your abdomen

 vomiting
 fever

Without treatment, you could develop an abscess or ruptured appendix. This

can be a life-threatening condition and warrants immediate medical attention.

How is appendicitis diagnosed?

If you suspect you have appendicitis, make an appointment with your doctor.
To diagnose your condition, they will ask you about your symptoms and
conduct a physical exam. They may also order lab work and imaging tests.

How is appendicitis treated?

The traditional approach to treating appendicitis is surgery. More and more,
doctors are turning to minimally invasive surgery, or laparoscopy. To perform
minimally invasive surgery, your doctor will typically use two or more short
incisions instead of one longer incision. Compared to traditional “open”
surgery, this usually results in:

 shorter hospital stay

 less pain
 quicker recovery
 lower rates of complications

In some cases, your doctor might try to avoid surgery altogether. A recent
review of research published in the British Medical Journal found that
antibiotics might be the best treatment for uncomplicated appendicitis. Using
antibiotics rather than surgery appears to lower the risk of complications by at
least 31 percent. It appears to be a safe and effective option for
uncomplicated appendicitis.

Your doctor can use imaging techniques to learn if your appendicitis is

uncomplicated or requires surgery.

What’s the outlook for

appendicitis?
If you have an appendectomy, your doctor should teach you how to take care
of yourself afterward. It may take a few weeks or longer to recover, suggests
the Mayo Clinic. Ask your doctor when you can expect to resume normal
activities.

An appendectomy can help treat an acute problem, but it might raise your risk
of other issues later on. According to a study published in the
 journal Movement Disorders, getting an appendectomy slightly increases your
chances of developing Parkinson’s disease 10 years or more after the
operation. According to researchers in the journal PLoS One, appendectomy
might also raise your risk of developing colorectal cancer, particularly rectal
cancer.

Ask your doctor for more information about your specific condition, treatment
options, and outlook. They can help you understand the potential benefits and
risks of an appendectomy.

Medically reviewed by Debra Sullivan, PhD, MSN, CNE, COI on April 7, 2017 —
Written by Elizabeth Connor

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