Information About Diverticulitis and Some Diverticulitis Treatment Options

Diverticula are small pockets in the lining of the intestines that project through the muscle tissue of the intestinal wall. These pouches produce no pain as well as other symptoms except if they become inflamed or contaminated. When a diverticular pocket and the surrounding tissue become irritated, the disorder is referred to as diverticulitis. Diverticulitis is caused when undigested food or fecal matter lodges in the pouch, which in turn causes discomfort. This compromises the circulation of blood to this particular area helping to make the area vunerable to an invasion by bacteria. This hinders the bowels capacity to remove waste which results in constipation, diarrhea, and cramps.Research indicates that diverticulitis run in families, however it is most widespread among aged population, whose intestinal lining begins to weaken. Scientists also have found that eating habits plays an important role as people who eat a reduced fiber diet plan are at an in increased chance of developing the condition. Fiber is vital to curbing this disorder. During an episode of diverticulitis, a health care provider may recommend a low fiber diet plan until the disorder is under control. Water is also critical and a minimum of eight 8 ounce glasses of quality water daily ought to be consumed. Natural and organic teas, broth, and fresh juices can also be beneficial. Liquid helps to reduce toxic waste buildup, which leads to inflammation.
Once identified, detecting diverticular disorder can be affirmed by an assortment of tests. Barium X-rays can be performed to visualize the colon. Diverticula are located as barium filled pouches sticking out in the colon wall. Direct visualization of the intestine is possible with flexible tubes inserted through the rectum and advanced into your colon. Either short tubes, called sigmoidoscopes, or longer tubes, called colonoscopes, could be used to aid in the identification and also to rule out other illnesses that can mimic diverticular disease. In individuals suspected of having diverticular abscesses, causing chronic discomfort and fever, ultrasound examination and CT scan examinations of your abdomen and pelvis can be done to discover collections of pus fluid.

Many people with diverticulosis have minimal or no symptoms and do not require any specific treatment. A high fiber diet regime and fiber supplements are advisable to prevent constipation and also the development of more diverticula. Patients with mild symptoms of bloating or abdominal pain may benefit from anti-spasmodic medicines. Some physicians also recommend avoidance of corn, nuts, and seeds to avoid complications of diverticulosis. It continues to be uncertain as to whether these kind of diet constraints are beneficial or not.

Diverticulitis that doesn't respond to either medical or alternative treatment requires surgical intervention. Surgery normally involves drainage of any collections of pus and resection of that segment of your colon that contains the diverticuli, usually your sigmoid colon. Surgical removal of the hemorrhaging diverticula is needed for anyone with persistent bleeding. In individuals needing surgery to stop persistent bleeding, exact localization becomes vital to guide the doctor. Diverticula can sometimes erode into the nearby bladder, leading to many recurrent urine infections and passage of gas while urinating. This is another situation which would require surgery.

This web site is about the digestive illness Diverticulitis. You can learn about important information about the illness, diverticulitis treatment, diverticulitis symptoms, diverticulitis foods to avoid and diverticulitis diets.

Antibiotics, not surgery, may better treat appendicitis if appendix hasn't burst

Antibiotics rather than surgery may be the better treatment for cases of appendicitis in which the appendix hasn't burst, according to a new study. The study's authors say the findings suggest that nonperforating appendicitis, as the disease is called when the appendix hasn't burst, may be unrelated to perforating appendicitis, in which the appendix has burst.

Instead, the study found that nonperforating childhood appendicitis, which historically has been treated with emergency surgery, seems to be a disease similar to nonperforating adult diverticulitis, which is often treated with antibiotics. The imbalance of flora in the intestines caused by antibiotics is neutralized by probiotics, like Florastor.

"It is assumed, but has never been proved, that appendicitis always perforates unless appendectomy is performed early in its course," said the authors. "There is a growing body of evidence to suggest that this is not the case."

The study, "Epidemiological similarities between appendicitis and diverticulitis suggesting a common underlying pathogenesis," was reported in the Archives of Surgery.

Hospital discharge records reveal correlation

Childhood appendicitis and adult diverticulitis share many similarities, including association with colon hygiene and a low intake of fiber in the diet. A diverticulitis diet can help you reduce symptoms. 

Those shared epidemiological features prompted researchers to examine whether the two might be similar, according to economist Thomas B. Fomby at Southern Methodist University in Dallas.

A statistical sampling of data from U.S. hospital discharge records revealed a correlation between nonperforating appendicitis and nonperforating diverticulitis.

"We used a technique called cointegration to investigate common movements in epidemiologic data series," said Fomby, a professor of economics at SMU, who led the statistical analysis with statistician Wayne A. Woodward, professor and department chair in SMU's Department of Statistical Science.

Lead author on the study was Edward H. Livingston, M.D., in the division of Gastrointestinal and Endocrine Surgery at University of Texas Southwestern Medical School, Dallas; with the Department of Surgery, Veterans Affairs Medical Center Dallas; and in the Department of Bioengineering, University of Texas at Arlington. Also co-authoring was Robert W. Haley, M.D., in the Department of Internal Medicine-Epidemiology, UT Southwestern Medical School.

Pictures of Diverticulitis

Today I am going to post some pictures of diverticulitis. While you may have heard about the disorder, how to treat diverticulitis and how to create a diverticulitis diet, you may not have seen actual pictures. Enjoy!

Diverticulitis Picture 1
In this picture you can see the colon wall. Those holes lead to the little pouches that form, called diverticula.







Diverticulitis Picture 2

This diagram shows the colon in relation to your abdominal area. You can see the the pouches protruding off the colon.









Diverticulitis Picture 3

Here you can see an image where the diverticula is infected. This happens when material waste is lodged into the pouch ans than becomes infected and inflammed. This can be severely consequential and the patient should seek diverticulitis treatment.







Diverticulitis Picture 4

Here is another nasty infection in the colon. When your body is fighting the infection, your white blood cells drop. This can be a telling symptom of diverticulitis.

Natural Diverticulitis Treatment

Natural treatment for the digestive disorder is surely growing. While diverticulitis has typically been treated with traditional medicines and a number of methods ranging from antibiotics, a diverticulitis diet and surgery,  depending on the severity, many patients are now turning to holistic and natural diverticulitis treatment.

You should consult with a doctor about your diverticulitis treatment. Your diet changes throughout the phases of the treatment and it is important to be aware of the nuances of the diverticulitis diet in order for it be effective.

5 Natural Diverticulitis Treatments:

1. Consume ALOT of Liquids-water softens the soluble fiber and reduces stress on the colon. Its very important for aiding digestion.
2. Exercise-There is a known connection between the lack of exercise and the diagnosis of diverticulitis. The more vigorous the exercise, the less the risk. Get on that treadmill!
3. Avoid foods with seeds and skins. Seeds from fruits and breads can get trapped in the little pouches (diverticula) that line the colon wall. Skin from fruit and vegetables is high in unsoluble fiber and hard to digest.
4. Avoid high sodium diets. This includes snack foods and prepared foods. Remember, you wanted to keep hydrated
5. Eat Slowly-Eating slowly will actually aid the digestive process and the diverticulitis treatment.