What is appendicitis? Published: August 27, 2010 Appendicitis is
the inflammation or swelling of the appendix, a small pouch
located in the abdominal region and attached to the beginning of
the large intestine (also known as the colon). The purpose of
the appendix is unclear. It has previously been suggested that
it was once used to help digest plants and has been made
redundant by human beings modern lifestyle. But more recent
studies have shown that the organ may be the home of ‘friendly
bacteria’, used by the body to improve digestion and help fight
infections, according to the NHS. It is a widespread condition
and usually occurs in young people between the ages of 10 and
20. In America, it is one of the most common causes of emergency
abdominal surgery, according to the U.S. National Library of
Medicine (NLM). What causes it? The exact causes of appendicitis
are not known, but it is thought that the condition is usually
brought on by an obstruction of some sort. This could be faecal
matter, a foreign obje