Diverticulosis
DESCRIPTION
Diverticulosis, one of the most common gastrointestinal
disorders, is non-inflammatory and often has no symptoms.
However, it may give rise to the more serious disorder,
diverticulitis, which is inflammatory. Diverticulosis is
characterised by one-fourth to one inch diverticula (pouch-like
Herniations that protrude through the muscular layer of
the colon) formed in weakened sections of the colon wall.
It is an increasingly common affliction for the elderly.
Treatment includes increasing
dietary fibre, ingesting drugs to alter intestinal motility,
taking bulk-producing laxatives, and using antibiotics for
Inflammation. If complications (such as an Abscess) are
found, surgery may be required.
HERBS
Aloe Vera (4)
Slippery Elm
NUTRITIONAL
SUPPLIMENTS
Vitamin C (1)
Vitamin E (2)
Zinc (3)
REFERENCES
1. Middleton E. The flavonoids. Trends Pharmaceutical Science
1984; 5:335-38.
2. Bennet JD. Use of a-tocopherol-quinone in the treatment
of Ulcerative colitis. Gut 1986; 27:695-97.
3. Fleming CR, et al. Zinc nutrition in Chron’s disease.
Dig Dis Sci 1981; 26:865-70.
4. Saito H, et al: Effects of aloe extracts, Aloctin A,
on gastric secretion and on experimental gastric lesions
in rats, Yakugaku Zasshi, 109(5), May 1989, p 335-339.
