Question

While on a business trip to Mumbai, you received a call from your neighbour Raghav informing that your father complained of severe pain in his abdomen in the midnight and had to be rushed to the hospital. The doctors have diagnosed the problem and suggested immediate surgery to remove the swollen appendicitis. Your father who maintains a healthy lifestyle and rarely visits any doctor is terrified at the thought of being operated upon. As a student of Biology how will you console your father and explain him the medical condition to help him overcome his tear of surgery.

Answer 1

I would console my father by explaining the medical condition in simple and reassuring terms as follows:

Appendicitis is the inflammation of a small tube-like organ called the vermiform appendix, which is attached to the large intestine. This appendix is actually a vestigial organ in humans, meaning it has no crucial function in our body today.

Sometimes, the appendix can get blocked and swollen, causing severe pain and discomfort. If this inflammation is left untreated, it may burst and cause infection in the abdomen, which can be very serious.

The good news is that the surgery they suggest simply involves removing this swollen appendix, and this operation is very common and generally safe. Since the appendix does not have any important role in our body, its removal won’t cause you any health problems later on.

Doctors perform this surgery routinely, and it will relieve your pain and prevent any complications. Many people have had this surgery and go back to a normal healthy life soon after.

So, there’s no reason to be frightened. The surgical team will take good care of you. You will be fine, and this surgery will help you get back to your good health quickly.