Jakarta, CNN Indonesia –
Over the centuries, many people have assumed that Appendix does not have the slightest use for the body. Its presence is only considered a ‘complement’. However, a number of scientists continue to try to find the benefits of appendicitis.
The appendix or appendix is a thin tube located in the right abdomen, between the large intestine and the small intestine. Rarely did anyone pay attention to it. Caution will only arise when the appendix becomes inflamed.
Appendicitis is one of the most common diseases found in today’s society. Many cases require treatment through surgical removal of the appendix. Untreated, the inflammation can develop into an appendicitis abscess which can be life-threatening.
Many people who have had an appendectomy have no significant negative effects. Quoting Healthline, Appendix removal is considered to have no effect on organ function or overall body health. That is why many people or doctors think there is not the slightest use of appendicitis.
However, appendicitis isn’t just a matter of inflammation. A number of scientists are gradually discovering its use.
In the page Scientific American, Oklahoma State University physiologist Loren G Martin says appendicitis is linked to immune function. The appendix, he said, has been shown to function as a lymphoid organ that helps the maturation of B lymphocytes (a type of white blood cell) which plays a role in the immune system.
In addition, to confirm these claims, researchers have also shown that the appendix is involved in the production of molecules that help direct the movement of lymphocytes to various other locations in the body.
“In this context, the function of the appendix to expose white blood cells to various antigens or foreign substances appears to be present in the gastrointestinal tract. Thus, the appendix may help suppress potentially damaging humoral properties, while boosting local immunity,” explains Martin.
Other researchers have also found other benefits of appendicitis. The study, conducted by researchers from Midwestern University, concluded that the appendix is designed to protect the good bacteria in the gut.
Researcher Heather Smith studied the gut and environmental characteristics of 533 different mammals. They found that the animals with appendicitis had a higher concentration of lymphoid tissue. Lymphoid tissue works in the immune system. Lymphoid tissue can stimulate the growth of several types of good bacteria that are stored in the appendix.
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Illustration. Many people think that the appendix does not have the slightest benefit to the body. (Istockphoto / spukkato)- – |
“The recovery period after illness in people who have had the appendix removed will be longer than those who are still living with appendicitis,” Smith said, quoting The Independent.
Commenting on this, Duke University physiologist William Parker said that there is a lot of circumstantial evidence that strengthens the role of the oxtail as a safe location for good bacteria to live.
Quoting WebMD, that way, when your intestines are disturbed, the good bacteria that previously settled in the appendix come and improve your digestive system and make you healthy again.
However, Parker said, in this modern society not too many good bacteria are needed. This is because modern society is familiar with modern medical practices and better sanitation. It is also what Parker considers to lead to the notion that appendicitis is not very useful for the body.
“This is consistent with the observation that removing or removing the appendix from the body has no negative effect,” says Parker. No wonder many people wonder about the benefits of appendicitis.
(asr)
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