What Side Is Your Appendix on Your Body?

The appendix is a small tube-like organ that is located at the meeting point between the small intestine and the large intestine. This is in the abdomen section of your body. Specifically, it is located on the lower right side of your belly.

Here on the welfare section of the Alzdem Health website, we will fill you in on the position, roles, and conditions that affect the appendix. So, read on to find out.

Summary

The Role of the Appendix

What this abdominal organ does is still up for question. Several things are still yet to be known about the appendix as it is one of the endless mysteries of the medical sciences. Some reports have even suggested that removing it from the GI tract does no lesser good than having it in the first place.

The impact of removing the appendix through a medical process known as appendectomy suggests this is true. Cases of people who had to remove their appendix (especially on account of appendicitis) have shown that no complications come with this surgical practice. This is as long as it is done properly.

We at Alzdem Health have reviewed clinical studies discussing this subject. We have come across some medical studies that claim the appendix might be a suitable breeding spot for good bacteria. If true, this might affect the ability to combat bad bacteria if or when it is removed. But further studies on this subject have to be carried out.

Appendicitis – The Condition that Affects the Appendix

While what the appendix does is up for question; the effects of an inflamed or ruptured appendix are not. The abdomen, stomach, and the body at large are better off without such an appendix. This is because the body will be left with severe complications if this is not done (and done in time).

Peritonitis is one of the serious complications that can result from an inflamed appendix – appendicitis. Specifically, peritonitis happens when the inflammation of the appendix is full-blown and it gets to burst. This burst will spill out harmful microbes into other parts of the abdomen.

The complication known as sepsis is also a risk that is associated with a ruptured appendix. Sepsis happens when the inflammation and eventual burst of the appendix cause harmful microbes to make their way into the blood. The infection of the blood can adversely affect organs since the infected blood will have contact with them.

So, you need to report appendicitis as soon as possible. This is to ensure emergency surgery to remove the appendix is carried out (if necessary). In some cases, antibiotic medications are only what will be required for treatment by your doctor.

Just so you know, people in certain health states can be very vulnerable if they have appendicitis. For example, appendicitis (if not addressed soon enough) during pregnancy can result in premature delivery or even loss of the baby.

Symptoms of Appendicitis

Appendicitis degenerates into more severe health complications because of slow or no medical intervention. For starters, tests need to be carried out to be certain you have this appendix-related condition. Some of the signs and symptoms that can help you decide to undergo such tests include the following:

Pain in your abdomen – This pain happens intermittently and gets worse by the day. This is especially when the person carries out common activities like moving, inhaling, coughing, and sneezing
When passing gas becomes very difficult or even impossible
Nausea & vomiting
Significantly less craving for food
Belly complications like diarrhea, constipation, and swollen belly
Fever – With temperature not exceeding a hundred degrees Fahrenheit

You should go for tests and seek the required medical care in a good clinic if you exhibit any of these symptoms. This is especially with the first – pain in your abdomen.

Here on the welfare section of the Alzdem Health website, we have other related and interesting content you might be interested in. For example, you can find out the causes of upper left back pain when breathing deeply.

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Adrian Moore

Adrian Moore is a passionate health writer with a keen interest in nutrition and wellness. He enjoys researching and writing articles that help people live healthier lives.