Put your hand on your stomach lower right; about an inch under your last rib is where the appendix is. Don’t worry if you can only feel your intestines. It may be a sign that your appendix is in good and healthy condition.
The appendix is a small close-ended tube that is attached to the colon. It’s very small in length, only about 3.5-inch average, and only 6mm in diameter. However, when inflamed or even ruptured, the appendix can cause you a lot of pain throughout your body. And in some cases, it forced you to have it removed.
How Much Does it weigh?
On average, a healthy appendix weighs between 1 to 18 grams or less than 1 ounce. However, there are cases where the appendix has swollen so big and surpassed the regular weight and length measurement.
According to a medical journal, the heaviest appendix ever removed was about 1 pound large. But it was not recorded about the length. As per the Guinness’ book of record, the largest appendix ever removed was 10.24 inches belonged to Safranco August.
What is An Appendix?
Charles Darwin, and many other scientists, believe that the appendix was a vestigial organ that carried over through evolution. But many pieces of research in the past decades have challenged that opinion and slowly taking the appendix in a new light.
These days, the appendix is considered an organ to preserve useful gut bacteria that are flushed out by illness. These bacteria are important to restore your gastrointestinal health after an illness. And it’s also believed that the appendix also helps the production of B and T cells fight off illnesses.
Unfortunately, many people are unaware that the appendix is an important body part. Lack of sanity and a bad diet are only a few of several causes caused by appendicitis or inflamed appendix. However, not all cases of appendicitis lead to removing the appendix.
If you ever experienced a sharp, deep pain in your navel that somehow moved to the lower right area of your belly. Then you could be having a case of appendicitis. It is happened when there is a blockage in the appendix lining and caused it to inflame and swell. In some severe cases, the appendix may be ruptured and require removal using surgery.
Appendicitis occurred in 1 of every 100,000 people. But lately, many medical practitioners suggest medication that will cool down the appendix and prevent it from being ruptured and end up with surgery. Albeit common, appendicitis should not be taken for granted and act as a warning sign to lead a healthier lifestyle.
Final Word
The appendix is only a tiny part of our body. It’s hidden and small and has been considered to be a vestigial organ for so long. It turned out to be an essential part of our gut health and eventually our general health. It’s known to maintain the gut flora bacteria important for the gastrointestinal recovery after an illness. Therefore, it’s important to have a healthy diet that will boost gut health.