FAQ
Frequent Questions about Diverticulitis
What are Prebiotics?
Prebiotics are foods that stimulate the growth of good bacteria in the digestive system, and help maintain balance in the digestive tract. Our Healthy Bowel Support product is a specially-formulated blend of both pre- and probiotics for a healthy microbial environment. Many have found that adding probiotics have helped their digestive tract and bowels but when they stop taking them they soon return to how they were before taking them. The reason for this is that the ‘good’ bacteria have not yet grown in the gut on its own.
Eventually, your body should be able to continuously produce and grow these good bacteria. That is why we suggest taking the prebiotics, as these nutrients heals the terrain so that once you put the probiotics in your system they will continue to grow and your body will continue to produce and nurture it’s own. Think of it as farming. You can have wonderful, amazing seeds but if you have bad soil, you will not have a good harvest. Firstly, you must repair the field then add in the good seeds!
What is the importance of probiotics?
Probiotics are the good bacteria in our digestive tract. Most of us have heard of acidophilus, but it is only one small part of the good bacteria that is required in our bodies.
Diverticula develops most commonly in the sigmoid part of the colon, which is just above the rectum. The most prolific and important species for that part of the large intestine is the Bifido species, especially the Bifidobacterium Bifidum and the Bifidobacterium Longum. These need to be taken daily in a probiotic blend, like the Healthy Bowel Support. The Bifido bacterium will help heal the infected diverticula and also aid in returning the bowel to its normal function. Remember also that you need the PREBIOTICS (like inulin) to maintain the growth and replenishment of good bacteria. If you have recently been, or are now, on antibiotics you need to take extra probiotics with the prebiotics for 10 days following.
What is the best natural treatment for Diverticulitis?
First and foremost, prevention is the key with a natural, high fiber diet with plenty of exercise and water. However, most of you who have come to this website are experiencing problems and are seeking relief!
The best natural treatment is to take a multidimensional approach. By that we mean using a combination of gentle botanicals (herbs) and homeopathics to stop active symptoms, then to progress to more restorative products (see the Diverticulitis Kits), until you are functioning naturally once more.
What causes anal bleeding?
Bleeding from the lower digestive tract (colon, rectum, and anus) can be caused by:
Diverticulitis: When high pressure inside the colon pushes against weak spots in the colon wall it is called diverticulosis. If the ‘weak spots’ become inflamed and infected they are then called diverticulitis. Bleeding occurs when a hole (perforation) develops between a pouch (diverticulum) and a blood vessel. It is usually a large amount of blood and can be painless.
Fissures: These are small tears in the mucous membrane or lining of the anus that can cause rectal bleeding.
Hemorrhoids: This is the most common cause of rectal bleeding, especially blood that appears bright red. Hemorrhoids are enlarged veins in the anal area that can rupture and produce bright red blood. It is more common in those who have or have had a history of constipation.
Ulcerative Colitis: Bleeding from ulcerative colitis usually happens due to small ulcerations that cause inflammation and surface bleeding. Typically, there is a history of constipation and/or diarrhea.
Colon polyps: These are growths that can occur in the colon. They can cause large amounts of rectal bleeding and are usually benign but may lead to cancer.
Colorectal cancer: Usually intermittent type bleeding and darker or occult type blood. If long-lasting and undiagnosed can lead to anemia.
Crohn’s Disease: Crohn’s disease is an autoimmune disease that is also classified as an Inflammatory Bowel Disease (like ulcerative colitis). Inflammation of the digestive tract occurs with bloody diarrhea with disease deep in the tissue of the wall along the digestive tract. Ulcers and fissures that occur cause the bleeding and bloody diarrhea associated with Crohn’s Disease.
Blood vessel abnormalities: In the elderly, abnormalities may develop in the blood vessels of the large intestine, which may result in recurrent bleeding.
I am pregnant and am experiencing Ulcerative Colitis symptoms. Is it safe to take your products?
For those who are pregnant with ulcerative colitis, the safest place to begin your healing is by using the UC Homeopathic Formula. Homeopathics are effective without the harmful side effects of many of their medicinal counterparts. For more information on homeopathics, please visit our About Homeopathy section.