Diverticulitis is a disease that occurs when small pouches in the colon that bulge outward become infected or inflamed. These pouches are called diverticula, and the condition of having diverticula is called diverticulosis. This condition is often triggered by constipation and irregular bowel movements. Little "pouches" form in the walls of the large intestine and can get clogged with fecal material and become infected. Symptoms include pain in the lower abdomen and bloating.

Symptoms

Most people with diverticulosis never have any symptoms or discomfort. Mild cramps, bloating, constipation, tenderness around the left side of the lower abdomen, fever, nausea, vomiting and chills may occur.

Treatment

Diet and Nutrition Follow a whole food diet, high in fiber, and drink plenty of water. Avoid coffee and alcohol. Eat at least three cloves of raw garlic a day.

Herbal Medicine Slippery elm can soothe the inflamed lining of the intestine.

Massage, Acupuncture, and Reflexology All these can help ease constipation.

If you eat cooked food Digestive Enzymes are definitely required to help maintain health. Digestive enzymes are present in raw food, but destroyed by cooking, in order to digest and absorb food, the body has to work hard. Typically by the time we reach our 40's our internal glands and organs are beginning to fail to produce enough enzymes. Simply put, this results in poor health or outright disease. To help reverse these diseases and move towards optimum health we need to supplement with digestive enzymes.

Ulcers

A layer of mucus normally protects the inner walls of the digestive system from the acid used to break down food. If this protective layer becomes too thin, or breaks down, an ulcer can develop at the site. Symptoms can vary according to the type of ulcer: a gastric (stomach) ulcer involves acute pain in the top part of the abdomen soon after eating, sometimes accompanied by nausea and vomiting and, in severe cases, by blood, either vomited or in the feces, which appear black and tarry; a duodenal ulcer causes less acute pain, slightly lower down, usually on the left side of the body, up to two hours after eating.

Treatment

Diet and Nutrition Cut down on foods known to cause ulcers - alcohol, coffee, and tea, for example. Avoid aspirin and products containing aspirin: they can irritate the stomach lining. Eat regularly and slowly and avoid hot, spicy foods. Small, frequent meals are best. Avoid smoking, or give it up entirely if you can.

Herbal Medicine

Marshmallow, coriander, camomile, lemon balm, and celery juice are recommended.

Consult a qualified practitioner/therapist for:

Homeopathy Arsenicum alb and Nux vomica can provide relief.