Diverticulosis refers to the diverticula in the intestines, small pouches or sacs that represent herniations of mucosa and sub mucosa in the muscular layer of the colon (Thaha & Williams, 2012). Diverticular disease is classified as ranging from: asymptomatic; symptomatic, uncomplicated diverticular disease; and complicated diverticular disease. The latter includes diverticulitis which can lead to abscess or perforation of the bowel. Other complications include haemorrhage, segmental colitis, peritonitis and fistula. Between 40-60% of people over 70 years have diverticulosis (Martel & Raskin, 2008) and in older adults there is a female predominance (Thaha & Williams, 2012). In WM, diet recommendations are made for an uncomplicated presentation of diverticulosis and bulking […]

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a chronic condition affecting between 10-15% of the population (Grundmann & Yoon, 2010) with multifaceted possible causes in both western medicine (WM) and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). It is not considered life threatening yet, as it is chronic and episodic, it impacts on health-related quality of life (Holloway, 2010; Ruepert et al., 2011). IBS is characterised by abdominal pain, bloating and altered bowel dysfunction resulting in diarrhoea or constipation (Snyder, 2012) and in significant impairments of functional status, higher levels of disability and increased frequency of physician visits (Zijdenbos, de Wit Niek, van der Heijden Geert, Rubin, & Quartero, 2011). Acupuncture was considered significantly more […]