Surgery for appendicitis? Antibiotics alone may be enough

I remember when my best friend in fifth grade couldn’t make our much-anticipated end-of-the-school-year camping trip because he had just undergone surgery for appendicitis. Now I prevent kids from participating in their school activities for four to six weeks after I remove their appendix. But what is the appendix, why do we have an organ that causes so many problems, and do you need surgery for appendicitis? Role of the appendix is unclear The appendix is a fingerlike tube, about three to four inches long, that comes off of the first portion of the colon. It is normally located in the lower right abdomen, just after the small intestine (needed for digestion and absorption) turns into the colon (whose purpose is to reclaim water and remove waste products). The true function of the appendix remains unknown today, but one debated theory is that the appendix acts as a storehouse for good bacteria, to reboot the digestive system after a diarrheal illness. Other experts believe the appendix is just a useless remnant from our evolutionary past. Surgical removal of the appendix appears to cause no observable health problems. Today, appendicitis is usually treated with surgery In the medical community, the suffix “-itis” refers to inflammation (think arthritis, which is inflammation of a joint). Many times, “-itis” is due to an infection — pharyngitis, or strep throat, for example. After much research and debate, the cause of “-itis” of the appendix is still unclear. ...
Source: Harvard Health Blog - Category: Consumer Health News Authors: Tags: Drugs and Supplements Health Surgery Source Type: blogs