Diverticulosis and Diverticulitis Free Sample

On this page:

• What is diverticular disease (Diverticulosis and Diverticulitis)?
• What causes diverticular disease?
• What are the symptoms?
• What are the complications?
• How does the doctor diagnose diverticular disease?
• What is the treatment for diverticular disease?
• When is surgery necessary?
• Points to Remember
• Additional Readings
• For More Information

Addressing Diverticulosis and Diverticulitis Naturally with AloeElite

AloeElite is a healing supplement that benefits every cell, tissue and organ in the body. For people with diverticulosis and diverticulitis, the healing ingredient in AloeElite (Aloe Mucilaginous Polysaccharide) works as a potent anti-inflammatory, helping to alleviate both diarrhea and constipation, it brings the body to a more normal functioning level, it acts as an intercellular antioxidant, detoxifying the body naturally, it rebuilds and repairs the protective mucosa lining throughout the digestive tract and mends the damaged tissue from mouth to rectum.  It aids digestion, enabling better absorption and assimilation of nutrients from food, it balances and restores proper immune system function and the aloe mucilaginous polysaccharides contain antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal, and antiparasitic properties. Many of our clients use AloeElite for moderate to severe diverticulosis and diverticulitis.  When used as directed, we have a 97% to 98% success rate.

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What are the complications?

Diverticulitis can lead to bleeding, infections, perforations or tears, or blockages. These complications always require treatment to prevent them from progressing and causing serious illness.

Bleeding

Bleeding from diverticula is a rare complication. When diverticula bleed, blood may appear in the toilet or in your stool. Bleeding can be severe, but it may stop by itself and not require treatment. Doctors believe bleeding diverticula are caused by a small blood vessel in a diverticulum that weakens and finally bursts. If you have bleeding from the rectum, you should see your doctor. If the bleeding does not stop, surgery may be necessary.

Abscess, Perforation, and Peritonitis

The infection causing diverticulitis often clears up after a few days of treatment with antibiotics. If the condition gets worse, an abscess may form in the colon.

An abscess is an infected area with pus that may cause swelling and destroy tissue. Sometimes the infected diverticula may develop small holes, called perforations. These perforations allow pus to leak out of the colon into the abdominal area. If the abscess is small and remains in the colon, it may clear up after treatment with antibiotics. If the abscess does not clear up with antibiotics, the doctor may need to drain it.

To drain the abscess, the doctor uses a needle and a small tube called a catheter. The doctor inserts the needle through the skin and drains the fluid through the catheter. This procedure is called percutaneous catheter drainage. Sometimes surgery is needed to clean the abscess and, if necessary, remove part of the colon.

A large abscess can become a serious problem if the infection leaks out and contaminates areas outside the colon. Infection that spreads into the abdominal cavity is called peritonitis. Peritonitis requires immediate surgery to clean the abdominal cavity and remove the damaged part of the colon. Without surgery, peritonitis can be fatal.

The best approach is to avoid infection!  AloeElite can help.  Also, observe a diet that decreases the chance of food getting caught in the pockets of the diverticula – namely, avoid all nuts and seeds. For more information of diet and its role in healthy bowel function, visit the Health and Wellness section of our website.

Fistula

A fistula is an abnormal connection of tissue between two organs or between an organ and the skin. When damaged tissues come into contact with each other during infection, they sometimes stick together. If they heal that way, a fistula forms. When diverticulitis-related infection spreads outside the colon, the colon's tissue may stick to nearby tissues. The organs usually involved are the bladder, small intestine, and skin.

The most common type of fistula occurs between the bladder and the colon. It affects men more than women. This type of fistula can result in a severe, long-lasting infection of the urinary tract. The problem can be corrected with surgery to remove the fistula and the affected part of the colon.

Intestinal Obstruction

The scarring caused by infection may cause partial or total blockage of the large intestine. When this happens, the colon is unable to move bowel contents normally. When the obstruction totally blocks the intestine, emergency surgery is necessary. Partial blockage is not an emergency, so the surgery to correct it can be planned.

When is surgery necessary?

If attacks are severe or frequent, the doctor may advise surgery. The surgeon removes the affected part of the colon and joins the remaining sections. This type of surgery, called colon resection, aims to keep attacks from coming back and to prevent complications. The doctor may also recommend surgery for complications of a fistula or intestinal obstruction.

If antibiotics do not correct an attack, emergency surgery may be required. Other reasons for emergency surgery include a large abscess, perforation, peritonitis, or continued bleeding.

Emergency surgery usually involves two operations. The first surgery will clear the infected abdominal cavity and remove part of the colon. Because of infection and sometimes obstruction, it is not safe to rejoin the colon during the first operation. Instead, the surgeon creates a temporary hole, or stoma, in the abdomen. The end of the colon is connected to the hole, a procedure called a colostomy, to allow normal eating and bowel movements. The stool goes into a bag attached to the opening in the abdomen. In the second operation, the surgeon rejoins the ends of the colon.

If you have already lost part of your colon, you can still use AloeElite to address current issues, avoid future problems and to improve your general health. 

Points to Remember

• Diverticulosis occurs when small pouches, called diverticula, bulge outward through weak spots in the colon (large intestine).
   
• The pouches form when pressure inside the colon builds, usually because of constipation.
   
• Most people with diverticulosis never have any discomfort or symptoms.
   
• The most likely cause of diverticulosis is a low-fiber diet because it increases constipation and pressure inside the colon.
   
• For most people with diverticulosis, eating a high-fiber diet is the only treatment needed.
   
• You can increase your fiber intake by eating these foods: whole grain breads and cereals; fruit like apples and peaches; vegetables like broccoli, cabbage, spinach, carrots, asparagus, and squash; and starchy vegetables like kidney beans and lima beans.
   
• Diverticulitis occurs when the pouches become infected or inflamed and cause pain and tenderness around the left side of the lower abdomen.

Additional Readings

Diverticular disease. In: Corman ML, Allison SI, Kuehne JP. Handbook of Colon and Rectal Surgery. Hagerstown, MD; 2002: 637-653.

Diverticular disease. In: King JE, ed. Mayo Clinic on Digestive Health. Rochester, MN: Mayo Clinic; 2000: 125-132.

Marcello PW. Understanding diverticular disease. Ostomy Quarterly. 2002;39(2):56-57.