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.

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.