Appendix is vital to our good health

 

Our older medical book wrote appendix is a vestigial organ and it was removed and thrown out at the smallest excuse. Sometimes the surgeons removed the appendix even during a normal abdominal surgery, thinking that it should not give trouble in future. Today we realise that, this is not correct.

                The appendix is a small worm like blind pouch at the beginning of the large gut attached to the caecum. This little organ has a large role to play in our health. It is a very important organ of our immune system and its presence is a good health aid in the body in its immune function to protect the gut and our body. It has a good immunological memory.

                Most important function of appendix is that it harbours good bacterias, which are protected in this pouch during a dysentery attack or during antibiotics onslaught.

                There bacteria are then used to re-inoculate the gut and bring it back to normal health. This biofilm that we understand today is better developed in the appendix. Appendix is a safe store house for our gut to re-inoculate itself after its flora is wiped-out.

                Recently we have understood so well, the brain - gut connection and our good health and longevity. Brain and gut communicate with each other using many methods like specialized cells, vagus nerve, hormones, circulation and the entire nervous system. This system is also better developed in the appendix. It is possible that appendix could be the focal point in this communication, since it does not play any role in digestion. Today’s surgeons have been on using appendix in the reconstruction surgery of bladder and the ureters.

                As on now do not remove your appendix except in dire situation. It is a useful organ, in fact a very useful organ for our good health and longevity.