A Holistic Approach to Treating the Symptoms of Diverticulitis

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A Holistic Approach to Treating the Symptoms of Diverticulitis

by Frank Mangano

 

http://www.newstarget.com/z021334.html

 

(NewsTarget) There is often confusion surrounding the difference

between two conditions known as diverticulosis and diverticulitis.

I'm going to explain the difference and reveal how to treat the

symptoms of diverticulitis naturally.

Diverticula are small, pea-sized, bulging pouches in the digestive

tract. While diverticula can form anywhere, most occur in your large

intestine and are many times found in people that experience frequent

constipation.

 

Having diverticula in the intestines is known as diverticulosis. This

condition is many times unrecognized by the person affected because

diverticulosis seldom causes any problems. Every once in a while

however, diverticula can become infected or inflamed. This condition

is called diverticulitis.

 

Many experts believe that a low-fiber diet is a key contributor to

diverticulitis. Reason being is lack of fiber in the diet can make

stool sometimes harder to pass. The excess pressure can result in

certain areas of the colon to become weakened and collapse. This

results in marble-sized pouches (diverticula) protruding through the

colon wall. These pouches, which are small at first, but become

larger gradually; typically develop in the sigmoid and descending

colon. These are the lower portions of your large intestine just

above your rectum. They are often the result of straining during

bowel movements over a number of years.

 

Sometimes stool can become lodged in one of the pouches and the

result can be an infection. Small tears or perforations can also

develop in an infected pouch, which can lead to an infection within

your abdomen (peritonitis). A person may also develop a collection of

pus called an abscess if the infection is limited to an area around

the wall of your colon where the diverticula are inflamed.

 

Diverticulitis can be acute or chronic. The majority of people

affected are usually between the ages of 50 and 90. One reason that

older people are generally more affected is that the walls of the

large intestine tend to weaken with age.

 

For many people, symptoms are non-existent or mistaken for simple

indigestion. For those who do experience symptoms, a pain in the

lower left side of the abdomen is common. The pain is typically

severe and surfaces rather abruptly. However, sometimes a person can

experience a mild pain that can worsen over several days and have a

fluctuating intensity.

 

Other typical symptoms include abdominal tenderness, fever, nausea,

and constipation or diarrhea.

 

Less common signs and symptoms of diverticulitis may include:

 

 

Vomiting

Bloating

Frequent Urination

Difficulty or pain while urinating

Rectal Bleeding

Tenderness in the abdomen

Blood in the Stool

While the reason is not exactly known, there is some evidence that

links smoking & stress to symptoms becoming worse. Other factors that

increase risk of diverticulitis are disease in the genes, gallbladder

disease, obesity & coronary artery disease.

The best steps you can take in treating diverticulitis have to do

with your lifestyle.

 

A high fiber diet has been shown to be protective against

diverticular disease. You'll need at least 20 to 35 grams of fiber a

day to help prevent problems from diverticulosis. Consume fresh

fruits and vegetables, cereals that are high in fiber and bran. Be

sure to drink plenty of pure water each day, as a high fiber diet

will not be effective without adequate water consumption.

 

Studies have also shown physical activity, specifically jogging or

running, to protect against symptomatic diverticular disease.

 

Avoid foods such as celery and corn as these foods contain

indigestible roughage and use bran to prevent constipation.

 

Eat a diet with your primary source of protein being from fish &

vegetables. Stay away from grains, seeds or nuts, as these foods can

be hard to digest which results in bloating & gas. Other foods that

should be avoided include dairy products, red meat, fried foods,

spices, sugar products as well as processed & refined foods.

 

Also remember to:

 

 

Try not to strain during bowel movements

Avoid alcohol

Exercise moderately

Drink at least eight glasses of pure water a day

Avoid smoking

Establish a regular bowel routine by spending at least 10 minutes a

day trying to have a bowel movement at approximately the same time.

Avoid extremely hot or cold foods and fluids (which cause gas).

 

When you feel an attack or pain coming on, give yourself a cleansing

enema with 2 quarts of luke-warm water mixed with the juice from a

fresh squeezed lemon. This will aid in ridding the colon of

undigested food that has been trapped and will also relieve pain.

 

Aside from lifestyle changes, supplementing with the following can

also be helpful:

 

Acidophilus (Take as directed on label) - Helps support a healthy

intestinal tract (gut) and replaces the flora in the small intestine,

primarily to improve assimilation.

 

Fiber (Take as directed on label) - Helps prevent constipation. Also

prevents infection.

 

Super Greens Formula - Garden of Life provides an excellent greens

formula that is high in chlorophyll, which is extremely beneficial

for this condition. Diverticulosis sufferers also seem to do better

when chlorella is part of the diet. Chlorella will provide you with

all the benefits of magnesium, carotenoids, chlorophyll and much

more.

 

Vitamin B Complex (100 mg 3 times daily) - Aids in proper digestion.

 

Proteolytic Enzymes (Take as directed on label, between meals) - Aids

in digestion & reduces inflammation in the colon.

 

Essential Fatty Acids (Take as directed on label) - Aids in

protecting the cells that line the wall of the colon.

 

L-Glutamine (500 mg twice daily. Take with water or juice but never

with milk) - Maintains the absorption surfaces of the gut called the

villi.

 

Vitamin C - Anti-inflammatory and boosts immunity. I recommend a

minimum of 3,000 to 8,000 mg daily in divided doses.

 

Garlic - Aids in digestion and is a natural antibiotic. I personally

use Kyolic Aged Garlic Extract by Wakunaga, which is a high-quality

odorless organic supplement. Take 2 capsules 3 times daily.

 

Alfalfa (2,000 mg in capsules or tincture) - Natural source of

vitamin K and essential minerals that most people with intestinal

disorders are lacking. Also contains chlorophyll, which aids in

healing.

 

Aloe Vera Juice (Drink ½ cup 3 times a day) - promotes healing of the

inflamed areas.