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The rationale for using evening primrose oil for scleroderma is the same as for Raynaud’s syndrome.

The vascular complications of scleroderma may be successfully treated by infusions of prostaglandins which dilate the blood vessels. However, this treatment is impractical for long-term use.

A placebo-controlled study was carried out in which evening primrose oil or a placebo was given to patients. The researchers were looking for the fatty acid concentrations in plasma and red cells, and some particular prostaglandin concentrations in plasma.

Evening primrose oil produced a small and not significant rise in the concentrations of PGEl and PGE2 and a significant fall in the concentration of thromboxane B2. Treatment also elevated the concentrations of dihomo-gammalinolenic acid and arachidonic acid in plasma. These changes went with clinical improvement.

In patients with scleroderma there seems to be some abnormality in the conversion of essential fatty acids to prostaglandins. Evening primrose oil may be able to help correct this.

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In western countries 50 per cent of individuals develop diverticula, 10 per cent by the age of 40 and 65 per cent by the age of 80. Translated from the Latin “diverticular” means “wayward house of ill repute”. Consistent with this picturesque description, diverticular really do resemble small balloons which blow out from the inside linings of the colonic wall.

The problem with multiple balloons like pockets festooning the colons outside dimensions is that they attract infection. Transformed into little bags of pus, diverticular rupture cause peritonitis. Sometimes small tunnels form, connecting one piece of bowel to another or pieces of bowel to other organs inside the abdomen. These tunnels can connect pieces of bowel to the bladder, uterus or vagina. The resultant discharge of liquid faecal material from the affected organ is a sign that something untoward is definitely amiss.

Home Remedies

The formation of diverticula relates to a low fibre diet and a high pressure colon. Take 30 grams of high fibre supplement every day. The passage of a soft bulky bowel motion two or three times a day protects individuals from the high pressure which blows the lining of the colon from the inside to the out.

Doctors manage acute diverticulitis with a soft diet and antibiotics. Surgery results when pain and other symptoms persist in the face of conservative management. There is no direct link between diverticula and colorectal cancer.

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