Appendix - Useful or useless?

I've heard different things about this little fellow.

Why does it cause trouble in the first place?
Do we really need it and if so, why?
What can happen if it is removed, except pain relief?

Misirlou wrote:I've heard different things about this little fellow.

Why does it cause trouble in the first place?
Do we really need it and if so, why?
What can happen if it is removed, except pain relief?

Do we need it - yes yes yes!

Off the top of my head (forgive any errors), it is a haven for good bacteria for the stomach - essentially their hideout. Infections, constipation etc put in under pressure and if an infection gets in there it could be the end of it.

Perhaps it could even produce bacteria - if they say we had it for a time when we ate grass, which would of required large amounts of fermenting bacteria, then perhaps that was/is its function.

I have no doubt about it that its removal is detrimental to your intestinal health. A friend of mine had his removed (to the delight of his money hungry doctor). A couple of months later his stomach is down the crapper with const pains.

Apparently a way to save it during times of infection is a water/juice fast and coffee enemas - apparently.

The Pharmaceutical Sales Assistants that call themselves our doctors really are idiots.

The appendix shares something in common with your teeth. They both are removed upon raging infections in order to avoid contamination to neighboring organs.

Except your appendix is irreplaceably important in regards to healthy bacteria, optimal gut health and immunity -- additionally, you only have one appendix.

And to think, medical science only thought the appendix to be useless several years ago. Just goes to demonstrate the complete decay of the medical establishment.

Therefore, anyone with appendicitis (or the unfortunate victim of an appendectomy) should be improving their gut health with probiotics, and/or by ingesting colloidal silver.

lambyjay wrote:

The Pharmaceutical Sales Assistants that call themselves our doctors really are idiots.

Or as I like to call many doctors, script monkeys. Pharma reps are actually Tupperware/Avon salespeople or poison telemarketers.

I do have a few colleagues who have had it removed and from what I can tell they don't complain about stomach issues. Perhaps issues building up, appearing slowly over time for those without the appendix. But I too believe it is good for something. Perhaps CS can enlighten us further.

Yes, the appendix is a useful organ. It is believed to be a "storehouse" of beneficial bacteria, which can immediately restore a healthy population of intestinal microflora after a chronic condition of diarrhea. It also, acts upon the immune system by "remembering" how to fight infection.

There is new evidence for example that it can prevent a Clostridium difficile infection.

But with acute appendicitis surgical removal is often inevitable because the condition can threaten your life within hours. You can't do much with alternative treatments here if there is a perforation of the appendix.