Directory of health resources for healthcare professionals.

DiverticulitisWhen the muscles of the colon wall have to work overtime to deal with hard stools or lack of bulk in the diet, they become weakened and lose their elasticity. This causes pouches called Diverticula. The food trapped in these pockets makes wonderful breeding ground for bacteria. The result can be Diverticulitis, an infection where there is often a fever and acute abdominal pain. This condition needs medical help.Diverticula Disease/Irritable Bowel SyndromeWhere symptoms are not severe and are treated by the GP these two diagnoses are often interchangeable. Men are more likely to be told they have diverticula problems, women are more likely to be told they have Irritable Bowel Syndrome.Spring Cleaning the BowelWhen they become aware of the dangers of a dirty colon, some people become too enthusiastic and embark on drastic colon cleansing programmes which can result in poisons pouring into the bloodstream and although the final result is very beneficial the process can make the sufferer feel wretched. The experience of detoxification can entail:• migraine• blinding headaches• nausea• flu-like symptoms• aches and pains• fever• exhaustion• anxiety• panic attacks• irritability• weepiness• sometimes quite profound depression.This can be avoided by taking it slowly, flushing the poisons out a little at a time.*52\326\8*