In my perusing of articles about IBS, an abstract published in the journal Medical Hypotheses caught my eye as it discussed a theoretical link between the appendix and IBS. Who knows if the theory has any merit, but you have got to give the writer credit for certainly "thinking outside the box".
From what I could glean, the writer is a surgeon who performs laparoscopic appendectomies. The writer discusses a condition known as "appendicopathy", which appears to refer to a diseased appendix. The writer describes the symptoms of appendicopathy as experienced by patients who were referred to him for possible appendectomy: in addition to abdominal pain, these patients also suffered from indigestion, "defecation disorders", stress and loss of energy. He states that once these patients underwent an appendectomy, 80 percent of them were free of pain as well as the other comorbid symptoms.
The writer than makes a big leap, hypothesizing that since IBS patients share similar symptoms as that of appendicopathy patients, that perhaps "both syndromes originate (partly) in the appendix". The jump is even further with a proposal that appendectomies should be considered as a treatment for IBS. On a positive note, the writer does acknowledge the need for further study.
It would seem to me that if having an appendix removed relieved IBS symptoms, this recommendation would have long been the buzz in online IBS discussion forums. I also know that IBS patients are at higher risk for unnecessary surgeries. So, I personally would file this one under the tab of "intriguing, but unlikely".
Source:
de Kok, H. "Is there an overlap between irritable bowel syndrome and appendicopathy syndrome? A new theory" Medical Hypotheses Published Online July 26, 2010.
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I had an appendectomy 3 years ago after a failed ACE proceedure to help my IBS-C. (the appendix is used in the proceedure) My IBS remains just as troublesome and i have almost constant pain.
So this new theory about a link between the appendix and IBS is rubbish!
I have has chronic bowel problems my whole life. 3 months ago i had my appendix out and just made a connection the other day. I haven’t had a crippling bout of pain in 3 months. I wonder if this will last and if it’s possible my appendix was partially to blame for the symptoms i experiences. Also, my diet is the same as before surgery, with the exception of the 2 weeks after surgery when all i seemed to be able to think of eating was applesauce and lucky charms–strange I know. I think this is worth looking into. It would certainly be an easy thing to survey–just ask people at their post ops to report pre and post symptoms and follow up on ones who had problems prior to surgery at 6m and 1 yr.
Interesting how two people can have such different experiences. I agree that it doesn’t seem that hard to do some research in this area. Perhaps there is a way to identify those for whom the appendix is contributing to digestive symptoms and pain and those for whom there is no connection. I will keep an eye out for any relevant research in the area.
I found this article because I was researching if there could be a link between my sudden cease in IBS symptoms and having my appendix out a couple months ago… I will let time tell but at this point it seems amazing. When I had my appendix out I thought I was having one of my usual IBS episodes (usually occurs when I am stressed) which is different from my daily IBS symptoms. I’ve not had my daily issues since the appendectomy. Maybe it is a coincidence… pretty amazing though, haven’t felt this “normal” since I can remember!
I suppose I’m living proof of the direct opposite. I was diagnosed with IBS just a few months AFTER appendectomy. Prior to the surgery, I had no problems.
As such, I’m currently researching the opposite theory: does having your appendix removed contribute to or cause IBS?
I agree with Noah on this one. I had my appendix out 2 years ago, and it wasn’t long until I was diagnosed with IBS. It feels like I have been dealing with this issue my whole life, but it wasn’t until recently I put 2 and 2 together.. realizing that I’ve only been suffering for close to 2 years.
If you find any information about it please let me know.
Very good , that Dr Bolen mentioned the issue. Remember: it regards pain in some millions of people! A heavy responsability.
As the writer of the article I have a right to answer. Being retired I cannot do any trials anymore. The only thing I can do is saying : THINK. F.i. about the definition of ‘unnecessary surgery’, in our case: unnecessary appendectomy. Generally accepted is the definition: ‘ removing a noninflamed appendix’. In my view it should be: ’surgery that does not resolve the problems of the patient’. Both are with hind sight.
In my expierience, and in literature, (laparoscopically) removing an non inflamed appendix in a patient , having painful attacks in the RU quadrant for months or years, has 80 % chance of success! In these few comments the results are devided. Proper selection is mandatory, especially in cases of possible IBS
Thanks, Henk, for writing in and offering your perspective. It is a shame that you are no longer able to do research. Let’s hope someone else becomes inspired!
I had my non-inflamed appendix out during a laparoscopy for a non-related illness two months ago, and since then my IBS symptoms (which I have suffered from for the last 25 years – but which seemed to have gotten much worse in the last 5 years) have completely disappeared. For the first time in 25 years I feel as if I don’t need to consider every aspect of my diet and factor in the location of the nearest toilet into every activity I undertake. If this is what it’s like to be “normal”, I embrace it!
I was searching to see if there is any link to IBS after an appendectomy. I had my inflamed appendix removed when I was 15, and developed IBS several years ago. (I’m now 50.) I guess that rules out prevention!