AYURVEDA PERSPECTIVE ON APPENDICITIS

Fossil evidence, however, shows that the appendix evolved independently in at least 32 species, and was lost by no more than 6 species. This finding provided a strong argument of the appendix's importance, however mysterious to modern man. Given the high concentration of immune tissue surrounding the appendix, researchers originally postulated that the appendix offered a protective immune function.

The human appendix attaches to the cecum at the beginning of the colon. The appendix averages 4 inches in length and has the width of earthworm. It is located beneath McBurney's point, 1/3 from the top of the right hip bone to the belly button.

By studying koalas, researchers at Duke University in 2007 believe they have finally found the function of the appendix. Koalas, like many leaf eating mammals, have an unusually large appendix. Leaves contain large amounts of indigestible cellulose fibers. Bacteria break down these cellulose fibers and significantly improve absorption of koala's leafy eucalyptus menu. A bout of diarrhea or infection could purge the gut of these beneficial cellulose eating beneficial bacteria.

Enter the appendix. Apparently, the appendix acts as a reservoir of beneficial gut bacteria. As nature's pro-biotic, the appendix helps to reboot the koala digestive tract by repopulating its gut with this good bacteria. As humans learned to cook and eat more easily digestible foods, and eat fewer leaves, the importance of the appendix may have waned slightly. Nevertheless, balanced gut flora remains important to human health as well.

Appendicitis

A diet of light, easy to digest soups with cooked leaves can help scrape the cecum clean. Enema therapy was traditionally recommended to cleanse to the cecum area as a preventative measure. Do not give an enema to someone with an inflamed appendix, as the increase in pressure could cause rupture. Appendicitis is a serious condition that requires immediate emergency treatment at the hospital.

Cases of appendicitis increase in the spring, starting early February, as gooey element naturally increases in the blood.

Images of Appendicitis