Your digestive tract is extremely long and winding, which can cause a variety of different health problems. Diverticulitis is a condition that can affect any part of your digestive tract. Although severe cases of diverticulitis may require surgery, mild cases can be treated with less invasive techniques, including drinking aloe vera juice. Talk to your doctor before drinking aloe vera or using any other sort of remedy for diverticulitis.
What Is Diverticulitis?
Diverticula are small bulging pouches that can occur anywhere in your digestive tract and are most commonly found in the large intestine. If your diverticula become irritated, you will develop a condition known as diverticulitis. Diverticulitis causes abdominal pain that can come on suddenly and be very severe. It may also cause nausea, vomiting, a fever, changes in your bowel movements, bloating and bleeding from your rectum. Diverticulitiis can cause permanent scarring of your bowels, resulting in the formation of a blockage.
Aloe Vera Juice
The aloe vera plant produces a gel that is soothing to the skin and can also help relieve inflammation from burns and cuts. Aloe vera also contains a latex-like substance that functions as a potent laxative. Aloe vera juice also has compounds that can modulate your immune system, potentially reducing inflammation both of your skin and of other tissues inside your body, including your intestines.
Aloe Vera Juice and Diverticulitis
There are two different ways by which aloe vera juice can help with diverticulitis. First of all, oral consumption of this juice may help the lining of your digestive tract to heal. Secondly, the laxative effect of aloe vera juice can speed the transit of fecal material through your intestines. This actually reduces the pressure on the diverticula and can help relieve the inflammation. In this sense, aloe vera benefits the intestines much like a high-fiber diet does, by making it easier for bowel movements to occur.
Considerations
Taking aloe vera juice can cause severe cramping and diarrhea, so it should be used with care. Because aloe vera is a supplement, it is not carefully regulated by the Food and Drug Administration and there is no universally accepted dose. Be sure to talk to your doctor before taking aloe vera or any other remedy for diverticulitis, as proper care of diverticulitis is essential for the long-term health of your intestines.
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