Author: Dee Braun

Diverticulitis occurs when pockets in the wall of the intestine, called diverticula, become inflamed or infected. Sufferers of diverticulitis can find relief by following a diverticulitis diet. A low reside diet is recommended during the flare up periods of diverticulitis to decrease the volume of bowel so the infection may heal.

An intake of less than 10 grams of fiber per day is generally considered a low residue diverticulitis diet. Treatment of diverticulitis depends on the severity of the symptoms and how often the attacks occur. Mild cases of diverticulitis may be treated with diet, rest, and antibiotics. Severe cases may eventually require surgery to remove the diseased portion of the colon.

A diet designed for diverticulitis patients should also focus on drinking plenty of water every day in order to enable the fiber to work its magic. Fiber works by absorbing water and increasing the soft and bulky waste in the colon. If the body does not get enough liquid to replace what is absorbed, fiber has the opposite result and leads to constipation.

Until recently, many doctors suggested avoiding foods with small seeds such as tomatoes or strawberries because they believed tat particles could lodge in the diverticula and cause inflammation. Foods such as nuts, popcorn hulls, and sunflower, pumpkin, cucumbers, strawberries, and raspberries, including poppy seeds, are generally considered harmless.

The treatment needed for diverticulitis depends on how bad the symptoms are and whether an infection exists. In general there are a small percentage of people whose condition will move from diverticulosis to diverticulitis. This disease is generally seen in almost half of all Americans over the age of 60, but it is diagnosed to a lesser degree to many who are in their 40′s.

The problem seems to increase with age as the weak areas of the colon continue to balloon out and result in pockets. Ballooning is caused by pressure such as exertion when a person is constipated by lack of fiber in their diet or because of certain medications. It has also been attributed to some gallbladder surgeries that have positioned the gall duct to drip directly into the intestines after the gallbladder has been removed.

It is very possible to minimize the effects of the diverticulitis in those who have already developed the condition. Choosing to convert to a diet which is aimed to control diverticulitis later in life can have significant health benefits. The recommended amount of fiber everyone needs to maintain a healthy colon is generally between 20 and 35 grams of fiber every day.

Adding foods like baked beans, brown rice, bran, oats, pears, and squash can easily provide the necessary fiber for anyone. There are also many supplemental products that can be ingested which offer a valuable amount of fiber that is part of a diverticulitis diet treatment.

For patients who already have developed colon problems, there are also foods that should be restricted from the typical diet in order to avoid problems. This disease can be managed in many ways, diet being one of the easiest.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/diseases-and-conditions-articles/diet-and-diverticulitis-easing-pain-reducing-flareups-through-diet-568673.html

About the Author

Dee Braun, a single mom of 6, is a Certified Aromatherapist and natural health practitioner. Click now to visit Remedies4.com at http://www.remedies4.com/ – a large directory full of free natural health ebooks covering common ailments, illnesses, health conditions and natural healing techniques.

Crohn’s disease, also known as granulomatous and regional enteritis, is an inflammatory disease of the intestines that may affect any part of the gastrointestinal tract from the anus to the mouth, causing a variety of symptoms. It is considered an autoimmune disease, in which the body’s immune system attacks the gastrointestinal tract, causing inflammation. However, it is commonly classified as a type of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Crohn’s disease usually occurs in the lower part of the small intestine, called the ileum, and causes inflammation deep into the lining of the affected organ. Symptoms primarily include abdominal pain, diarrhea, vomiting, weight loss, skin rashes, arthritis and inflammation of the eye.

Crohn’s disease affects men and women equally. There is also evidence that suggests a genetic link, putting individuals with the disease in the family at a higher risk. It is also suspected to have a large environmental component as evidences by the higher number of cases in western, industrialized countries. People who smoke are three times more likely to develop the disease that affect between 400,000 to 600,000 people in North America.

Crohn’s disease can be very difficult to diagnose due to its similarities to other intestinal disorders such as irritable bowel syndrome and ulcerative colitis. A thorough physical exam and a series of tests may be required to diagnose the disease. Blood tests are common in order to check for anemia, an indicator of bleeding in the intestines. These tests can also uncover a high white blood cell count, a sign of inflammation somewhere in the body. A stool sample can reveal bleeding or infection in the intestines. A doctor may also be required to conduct an upper gastrointestinal (GI) series to take a closer look at the small intestine. The test requires the patient to drink barium, a chalky substance that coats the lining of the small intestines. An X-ray is then taken and reveals inflammation and any abnormalities that may exist.

There are theories about what causes Crohn’s disease, but none have been proven. The most popular theory is that the body’s immune system reacts to a virus or bacterium by causing ongoing inflammation in the intestine. Currently, there are no known pharmaceutical or surgical cure for Crohn’s disease. There are, however, effective Crohn’s disease treatment options available that can alleviate the pain and embarrassment caused by the disease and produce long periods of remission, where there are no symptoms.

The Aloe Mucillaginous Polysaccharide molecules in AloeElite naturally control inflammation and help to mend the tissue that has been damaged, healing the ulcerations throughout the digestive tract over time.  By controlling the inflammation, AloeElite helps to control the excessive bowel movements, or diarrhea, that so often accompany the disease.  Whether the disease is localized or widespread throughout the digestive tract, AloeElite addresses the problem, as it supports the immune system and works throughout the digestive tract, from mouth to rectum. AloeElite can be used by children and adults of all ages, in all states of health. For effective Crohn’s disease treatment, use AloeElite is the natural solution.