As you get older, the risk of developing a diverticular disease grows. Even the most minor colon concerns can be uncomfortable, and they can develop into something much more serious. Yet they are treatable with certain home remedies you can find right at home. Here we'll learn about the diverticular diseases that affect the colon and how to treat the most minor of them with home remedies from your kitchen.

Preventing Problems

Diverticulosis is a common condition in which small pouches, called diverticula, develop in the colon. It happens when the inner lining of the large intestine is forced, under pressure, through weak spots in the outer layer of the colon. No one is sure what causes diverticulosis, but a low-fiber diet and lack of exercise have been shown to put you at greater risk. The diverticular pouches are present in about 50 percent of people over age 60, and they themselves are not much of a problem. However, when a food particle or piece of waste material lodges in the pouches, it can become inflamed and cause a more serious illness called diverticulitis. Diverticulitis can range from a mild infection to a severe one requiring hospitalization and even surgery.

Pears and other kitchen foods can help in the treatment of diverticular diseases.
©2007 Publications International, Ltd.
Patients with diverticulosis and diverticulitis
can benefit from home remedies like pears.

Symptoms

Diverticulosis usually causes no symptoms. Most people won't even know they have the condition unless it has shown up on a routine colonoscopy or developed into diverticulitis. But diverticulitis does have symptoms, including:
  • Abdominal cramping, usually more severe on the lower left side
  • Abdominal pain triggered by touch
  • Nausea
  • Gas, belching, bloating
  • Fever
  • Diarrhea, constipation, or very thin stools
  • Blood in the stools
  • General feeling of being tired or run-down
If you have any of these symptoms, don't self-diagnose. Call a doctor or, if the symptoms are severe, get yourself to the doctor's office or an emergency room. Diverticulitis that's untreated can lead to perforation of the colon, formation of an abscess, or peritonitis, a life-threatening infection of the lining of the abdominal cavity.

Diverticula don't go away. Once you have them, you're stuck with them. It's a good idea to adjust your lifestyle to avoid flare-ups. For mild symptoms, there's relief to be found in the kitchen.

There are a number of home remedies that can hep soothe your digestive tract. We'll take a look at them in the next section.

For more information about diseases similiar to diverticular disease and diverticulosis, try the following links:
 This information is solely for informational purposes. IT IS NOT INTENDED TO PROVIDE MEDICAL ADVICE. Neither the Editors of Consumer Guide (R), Publications International, Ltd., the author nor publisher take responsibility for any possible consequences from any treatment, procedure, exercise, dietary modification, action or application of medication which results from reading or following the information contained in this information. The publication of this information does not constitute the practice of medicine, and this information does not replace the advice of your physician or other health care provider. Before undertaking any course of treatment, the reader must seek the advice of their physician or other health care provider.