Diverticulosis refers to the protrusion, flaring of the large intestine’s mucosa. Viewed from the inside, small chambers seem to open up on the intestine’s wall, while from the outside it seems like various size clusters of grapes develop on the external wall. These outpocketings are called diverticulum which may vary in size, anywhere between a few millimeters to as large as 15-20 cm, and in number, there may be many of them or only few here and there. It can develop at any age, although it is more common among older patients and almost everyone has them above the age of 70 in European and North-American countries. It is barely known in Africa and Asia. It does not always create symptoms, but it may, especially pain, even fever, cramps, diarrhea, rarely bloody stool. Waste stuck in the little pockets can cause inflammation, but mainly among those above 50. Walls of the chambers are thinner than that of the intestine, therefore they are more vulnerable. In extreme cases walls of the chambers may break which can create life threatening conditions. Each diverticulum inflamed for long periods is inclined to tumorous diseases. Thus, diverticulosis with long lasting inflammation may also mean an inclination to tumors.
This phenomenon is more common in case the connective tissue is weak. That is what generates wrinkling of the face, losing shape of the chest’s and other body parts, development of raptures, as well as diverticulosis. According to other opinions, overloading the intestinal muscles by a diet lacking fibers, results in cramps and later debilitation, and ending up in weakening of the intestinal wall. Basically several things lead to this condition such as an improper diet that is low in fibers and minerals, little vegetable ingredients, too much meat, dairy products and food made with white flower, as well as drinking inappropriate amounts of liquids. This causes stagnation in the intestine, slowing down passage. By straining the intestinal muscles, pressure increases in the intestine which its walls cannot tolerate very long. Inclination is further increased by unsuitable conditions of the intestine containing lots of waste materials, changed intestinal flora, an ultimate result of inappropriate diet (too much animal meat and dairy products, or too much sweet, alcohol) and an incorrect lifestyle, excessive stress. We know from experience in colon hydrotherapy that slow peristalsis, improper intestinal contents often result in petrified sedimentation, food remains sticking to the walls of the intestine for as long as years, weakening the intestinal wall.
The disease of diverticulosis is difficult to discover as direct proof of it can only be gained by so-called colonoscopy (endoscopy), or through barium enema, CT and MR examinations. This disease may not create any symptoms in the first years, decades. Even after the appearance of clinical symptoms without serious examination its recognition is not proved. Yet, if we are certain that we have diverticulosis, we should do everything to avoid inflammation of the chambers (diverticulitis). We will need to reform our lifestyle and diet: fill it with vegetables and fibers, significantly increase amounts of our drinking (2-3 l a day), use herbs, psyllium seed, linseed, bran products, probiotics, perhaps colon hydrotherapy in early stages. The best are legumes, nuts, cabbages. Intestinal flora of most people is not in proper condition to start with, but due to stagnant waste materials in the small chambers an even worse intestinal flora can spread, since everything there is just stagnating, rarely changing. Depending on the type of incorrect diet one has (too much meat, dairy, or too much sweet, alcohol) these conditions create paradise for rotting, ferment bacteria.
Despite common views, colon hydrotherapy is not dangerous in case of diverticulosis. In course of the treatment, pressure of water slowly moving inwards is very low, about a fraction of the pressure during a defaecation stimuli created by the patient’s own muscles. Physical rinsing of the diverticulum brings immediate relief to the patient, suffering from painful symptoms of inflammation and tension. To enhance this effect during colon hydrotherapy the patient may also receive antiphlogistic herbal enema, with antibiotics if necessary. Proper therapy should always be chosen by the doctor. In case of a diverticulum which is too large and bleeding, surgery may also be advised instead of so-called conservative treatments.
Patients need systematic physical exercise, since that fosters detoxification of the intestines and supports healing processes. Patients should take antioxidants and antiphlogistic herbal substances. Diverticulosis generally does not develop on the intestinal wall of healthy vegetarians.
