What Does Your Appendix Do?

Scientists have long thought that the appendix was once used to help us digest tree leaves and bark. Kinda like a little goat in your body.

However, scientists now have a different theory. Our appendix may act as a safe house for helpful gut bacteria. It’s also believed that the appendix can stimulate growth of some beneficial bacteria.

If you still have your appendix, the best way to prevent appendicitis is by eating a diet high in fiber. How does this help? Appendicitis happens when your appendix gets plugged up by, well, you know…
poo.

When your appendix gets plugged, it begins to expand. You’ll feel pain around your belly button that migrates to your right side. Other common symptoms include lose of appetite, nausea and vomiting, abdominal swelling, inability to pass gas, and a fever of 99 to 102 degrees.

If you have these symptoms, seek medical attention immediately. If you get to the doctor soon enough, you may only need antibiotics to get better. If your doctor thinks it’s best to remove your appendix and it hasn’t burst, the actual surgery is simple and can take a little as eight minutes! That’s less time that it takes to delete the backlog of spam from your inbox!

If you don’t have your appendix, it’s all good. But we still recommend a high-fiber diet. It’s the right thing to do.

#BeWell