Appendicitis is inflammation of the appendix. Typical causes have been linked to anything from infection and growths to abdominal trauma, but there is a growing body of evidence that suggests our appendix is sensitive to air pollution. Does this mean air pollution could be the source of appendicitis?
This seemingly unimportant organ can deliver abdominal pain and seriously uncomfortable feelings. Should they rupture, poisons can contaminate your body and worse, can cause death.
We often think that we get appendicitis as a result of blockage inside the appendix. Less evident is that appendicitis in a recent body ailment not really noticed until around the 19th century, about the time of the industrial age. Coincidence?
Causes of Appendicitis - Air Pollution
has been a recent study where thousands of appendicitis patients were identified. Many of these patients experienced appendicitis conditions in summer months and it turns out, coinciding with the highest concentration of air pollution observed. In contrast, when there were low levels of pollution, little if any appendicitis was found. This seems to be logical, given we tend to be out more often when it is pleasant outside. Outdoors, we are exposed to pollutants, particularly high levels of traffic pollutants like nitrogen dioxide and ozone. Additionally, interesting to note, when the traffic nitrogen dioxide was at its peak in this study, there was a corresponding 75 percent increase in appendicitis hospital admissions. When ozone was at the highest, there was a 30 percent increase. It seems the men statistically were more affected than women, possibly because of work and lifestyle.
We have evidence that the air we breathe gives us asthma and allergies and now we have strong evidence that it also contributes to appendicitis. These findings corroborate with other studies that found air pollution does irritate and cause inflammation in the human body. More study is needed, but body mechanics appear to be directly impacted by air pollution. Investing in a Austin Air Purifier combined with a high quality Austin Air Filter makes sense given the evidence.
