Don't worry if your mother had appendicitis years ago and had to have her appendix removed. Appendicitis, the condition where your appendix (that small, finger-shaped pouch that has no known purpose) gets inflamed and filled with pus, is not genetic. 
. It can be caused by food or stool getting trapped in the cavity the runs the length of your appendix or if you've had a gastrointestinal viral infection. What happens in either case is that bacteria gets into your appendix, invades it, and causes it to swell.
Appendicitis causes pain around your belly button, that moves to your lower right side above your pelvic bone. It often hurts more if you cough, make sudden movements, or if the area is pressed. The pain usually gets gradually worse over a period of six to 12 hours, and it's possible that your appendix can rupture. This usually happens if a person waits too long, thinking their "tummy ache" will go away. So if you're having a weird ache in your belly, it's best to call your doctor just to be sure.
Do you still have your appendix? Tell me in the comments section below.
House of Fraser
Nope, had it gone since I was 14. First thought the stomach pains were stress induced (school
) then they found that it was "about to burst" when they did the check up of putting the knee to the chest (ow!), had to get rushed to the
hospital for an appendectomy. Now I have a nice small scar on my tummy that I can show off (although I don't plan to).
1I used to be terrified as a kid/teen that I would get appendicitis, and not know I had it. Better about it now, but still cautious.
My parents both had theirs removed - my dad from actual appendictis when he was five, and my mother as an adult when they thought it was appendictis. It wasn't but they removed it anyway as long as they were in there...
2mine's gone. it was my 26th birthday "gift."
3I had mine out in 2006... don't worry, you will DEFINITELY know if you have appendicitis! For me, the pain was so bad that I literally couldn't stop grimacing.
4I actually had mine out in first grade. I had been sick and in a lot of pain, but it then quickly escalated and my mother finally took me to the hospital - and good thing she finally did because if she had waited even hours longer I might have died according to the doctors. My appendix had burst! I don't miss it and my scare is so minute and well stitched that no one sees it, even when I'm in my bathing suit and it's right there! I'm glad I had it removed when I was younger so I don't have to remember too much of the experience!
5It may not be technically genetic, however, I have a feeling that people who have similar digestive tracts will inherit this problem from their parents. My grandmother had appendicitis, and my mother, and I had it as well. I think we were each around the same age of 12-13.
6I nearly died and spent an entire week in the hospital recovering. When my mom took me to the hospital after I complained of the aches initially, the doctors did not want to operate. They told her that it was probably "woman problems". They were wrong. My mom had to be my advocate in the hospital and demanded that they operate. My appendix had been enlarged to seven times its normal size and it had actually burst, so it was a very close call.
I never thought it was genetic, but good to know for sure.
7I still have my appendix. And my wisdom teeth. And my tonsils. I've never had any type of "removable parts" removed
8again, you're uncorrect, apendix has a known purpose! but we don't need it anymore because of evolution.
9incorrect, sorry.
10That model is too pretty to look so constipated lol.
11I had appendicitis right around my fifth birthday. It ruptured and I was in the hospital for almost 2 weeks. I remember afterwards being so hungry but the doctors had to wait for my stomach to "wake up" before I could eat solids. They brought me jello at one point and my Mom said I started crying because I wanted a hamburger
12i still have mine at 25.
13I still have mine, as do all the members of my family. I thought I had appendicitis once when I was in college, but it turned out that it was just really bad food poisoning.
14I had my appendix removed when i was about 10 years old. The doctors said it was stool build up, but nope! Definitely wasn't that. So if you ever end up having appendicitis, trust me, you will know. It's not easily mistaken as a stomach ache, especially when your entire abdomen starts to cramp up.
15I still have mine but at the momment Im having some pains and Im trying to figure out if I have one. My mom had one. Do they still leave realy big scars cuz I like having the only whole on my stomache being my belly button.
16My appendix was taken out about 3 weeks ago. I'm 16 and I always wondered why an appendix burst.. well, I guess I know now! The pain was awful and we had thought it was some sort of gas problem or something. I went 24 hours with the pain (It was HORRIBLE!) and finally I went to the ER. I'm glad it's gone now but wow.. it was a very unique experience.
17I still have mine..I often experience lower right abdominal pain and fear i might have it, but it always goes away within minutes..but just to be cautious i always keep my phone in my hands when i feel even a spec of pain down there..i hear it hurts A LOT..scary..
18i have a question. i have a small lump near the lower right quadrant of my intestines (appendix area). does that mean i need to see the doctor or have appendicitis? I dont have any pain unless i touch it, it is also very sensitive and low on my abdomen. i think it may even be lower than my appendix. anyways can someone please answer my question. im getting nervous since people can die from it
19hey appendicitis and your family genetics actually does play a big role. i know from personal experience plus dozens of articles.. just do a google search for "appendicitis genetic" and u shall see this.
this is from one of those websites if u dont want to look it up though..
"A genetic predisposition for appendicitis exists. A history of appendicitis in a first-degree relative is associated with a 3.5- to 10-fold relative risk for developing this disorder. The strongest familial associations have been noted when children develop appendicitis at unusually young ages."
http://www.emedmag.com/html/pre/gic/consults/101504.asp
20Hey I have been having a lot of pain in my lower abdomen. The best way to describe it is "feeling like my ovary is going to burst" I went to the er and they said it is probably just because of my period. Any Ideas??? Think it may be appendix? I am also very nauseated and feverish.
21Nope, I had mine removed when I was seven. I am one of those rare cases...My appendix wasn't where it should have been, it was closer up to the rib.
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