Here are some of the most important questions you should ask your doctor.

What causes diverticulitis?

What are the symptoms of diverticulitis?

What type of diet should I be eating?

• How do I get more fiber in my diet?
• Are there foods that I should be eating?
• Is it okay to drink coffee or tea, or alcohol?

What should I do if my symptoms become worse?

• Do I need to change what I eat?
• Are there medicines that I should take?
• When should I call the doctor?

Is it safe to take natural remedies that help diverticulitis such as AloeElite, Primebiotics, or Powdered Barley Grass Juice, among others?

What are the complications of diverticulitis?

Will I ever need surgery?

Grain Products:

• enriched refined white bread, bagels, english muffins, buns
• plain cereals e.g. Cheerios, Rice Krispies, Special K, Cornflakes, Cream of Wheat
• arrowroot cookies, plain melba toast, tea biscuits, soda crackers
• white rice, refined pasta and noodles
• avoid whole grains

Fruits:

• fruit juices except prune juice
• applesauce, grapes, honeydew melon, peaches, watermelon, apricots, banana (1/2), cantaloupe, canned fruit cocktail
• avoid raw and dried fruits, and berries.

Vegetables:

• vegetable juices
• potatoes (no skin)
• alfalfa sprouts, eggplant, lettuce, mushrooms, green/red peppers, potatoes (peeled), squash, zucchini, beets, green/yellow beans, carrots, celery, cucumber
• avoid vegetables from the cruciferous family such as broccoli, cauliflower, brussels sprouts, cabbage, kale, Swiss chard etc

Meat and Protein Choice:

• well-cooked, tender meat, fish and eggs
• avoid beans and lentils
• Avoid all nuts and seeds, as well as foods that may contain seeds (such as yogurt)

Dairy:

• as directed by your healthcare providers

2. Diverticulitis can be mild with only slight discomfort in the left lower abdomen.  If the symptoms progress to severe lower abdominal tenderness, pain, and fever, this may involve serious infection and your doctor should be contacted immediately.

3. An inadequate diet is considered the leading cause of diverticulitis flare ups.  Most health experts agree that the lack of fiber and bulk in the diet is the major cause of chronic constipation and diverticular disease.  Slowly add foods rich in fiber such as bran cereals, whole wheat breads, a variety of bean and fresh fruits and vegetables to your diet to keep the stools soft and bulky.

4. Although there is no scientific prove that small seeds, such as apple seeds, orange pits, watermelon seeds, grape pits, etc may increase the chances of a diverticulitis flare up, it is best recommend to remove the seeds and enjoy the fruits.  Diverticulitis varies according to the individual, and certain diet components may irritate you more than others.

5. Due to the inflammation process involved with diverticulitis, home remedies containing anti-inflammatory benefits such as AloeElite can aid in healing and soothing the lining of your intestines and colon irritated by diverticulosis.

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.

If you are struggling with any of these symptoms on a consistent basis, most likely you are suffering from diverticulitis, ulcerative colitis, crohn’s disease, or IBS. The good news is that you are not alone, as hundreds of thousands of people around the world struggle with these chronic digestive diseases every day. These diseases are characterized by inflammation of the colon, and are a group of conditions which are inflammatory and auto-immune, affecting the tissue that lines the gastrointestinal system.

There are theories about what causes chronic digestive diseases like ulcerative colitis,  Crohn’s Disease or IBS, but none have been scientifically proven. The most popular theory is that the body’s immune system overreacting to a virus or bacterium by causing ongoing inflammation in the intestinal wall. It is also believed that the cause of diverticular diseases is a low-fiber diet. But this is also a theory. The specific causes of chronic diseases are still vastly unknown, but the effects are not. These diseases are destroying the colon and intestinal system. If they aren’t treated, they will kill you.

In the more severe cases, patients may require surgery to remove the diseased colon. Traditional Western medical professionals often view surgery as a cure, but they tend to agree that it should only be considered in the most serious cases, when all other possibilities have been exhausted. There are alternatives. A natural healing supplement, AloeElite, can help lengthen periods of remission by naturally supporting the immune system and bringing the body to a more normal level of functionality through the ingestion of aloe vera pills.

AloeElite is a healing supplement that benefits every cell, tissue and organ in the body. The healing ingredient in AloeElite, Aloe Mucilaginous Polysaccharide, goes to work as a potent anti-inflammatory within the aloe vera pills. It will help eliminate diarrhea, bring the body back to a more normal functionality, act as an intercellular antioxidant, and it will rebuild and repair the protective mucosa lining throughout the digestive tract and mends the damaged tissue in the colon. Most people who use AloeElite have moderate to severe ulcerative colitis and have a 97 to 98 percent success rate. If you are suffering from digestive diseases and need relief, go to www.aloeelite.com to order your bottle today.

AloeElite is a potent aloe supplement that benefits every cell, tissue and organ in the body. For people with diverticulitis and diverticulosis, the healing ingredient in AloeElite (Aloe Mucilaginous Polysaccharide) is a potent anti-inflammatory helping to bring the body to a more normal functioning level.  Acting as an intercellular antioxidant, detoxifying the body naturally, AloeElite helps to rebuild and repair 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.

When the pouches become infected or inflamed, the condition is called diverticulitis. This happens in 10 to 25 percent of people with diverticulosis. Diverticulosis and diverticulitis are also called diverticular disease.

AloeElite is commonly used to combat both diverticulosis and diverticulitis. Its antibacterial properties, along with its potent anti-inflammation capabilities situate it as an ideal tool in the fight against pouch inflammation and infection.

Although not proven, the dominant theory is that a low-fiber diet is the main cause of diverticular disease. The disease was first noticed in the United States in the early 1900s. At about the same time, processed foods were introduced into the American diet. Many processed foods contain refined, low-fiber flour. Unlike whole-wheat flour, refined flour has no wheat bran.

Diverticular disease is common in developed or industrialized countries–particularly the United States, England, and Australia–where low-fiber diets are common. The disease is rare in countries of Asia and Africa, where people eat high-fiber vegetable diets.

Fiber is the part of fruits, vegetables, and grains that the body cannot digest. Some fiber dissolves easily in water (soluble fiber). It takes on a soft, jelly-like texture in the intestines. Some fiber passes almost unchanged through the intestines (insoluble fiber). Both kinds of fiber help make stools soft and easy to pass. Fiber also prevents constipation.

Constipation makes the muscles strain to move stool that is too hard. It is the main cause of increased pressure in the colon. This excess pressure might cause the weak spots in the colon to bulge out and become diverticula.

Diverticulitis occurs when diverticula become infected or inflamed. Doctors are not certain what causes the infection. It may begin when stool or bacteria are caught in the diverticula. An attack of diverticulitis can develop suddenly and without warning.

AloeElite helps to heal the pockets, improving the integrity of the entire digestive tract. It is antibacterial and soothes the inflamed, damaged tissue in the bowel.

Most people with diverticulosis do not have any discomfort or symptoms. However, symptoms may include mild cramps, bloating, and constipation. Other diseases such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and stomach ulcers cause similar problems, so these symptoms do not always mean a person has diverticulosis. You should visit your doctor if you have these troubling symptoms.

Diverticulitis

The most common symptom of diverticulitis is abdominal pain. The most common sign is tenderness around the left side of the lower abdomen. If infection is the cause, fever, nausea, vomiting, chills, cramping, and constipation may occur as well. The severity of symptoms depends on the extent of the infection and complications.

By halting the inflammation and averting infection, AloeElite addresses the reasons for the cramping, pain and discomfort caused by the diverticula. If an infection is present, the anti-bacterial properties in AloeElite help fight the infection without stripping the whole digestive tract the way a pharmaceutical can. If a pharmaceutical is necessary, AloeElite can be taken alongside the drug to increase its effectiveness, while at the same time, buffering the negative side effects from the drug.

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.