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Diverticulitis

Anatori Sealife Comments 0 11th April 2019
Diverticulitis

Diverticulitis is inflammation or infection of small pouches, called diverticula, which develop along the walls of your intestines. The pouches’ formation is a relatively benign condition known as diverticulitis. The pockets can form anywhere on the digestive tract. Still, they may develop at the end of the descending and sigmoid colons, and they also frequently occur on the first section of the small intestine, although problems are rarely found there.

Ageing and heredity are primary factors in the development of diverticulitis, but diet also plays a role. So, eating a lot of low-fibre, refined foods can significantly increase the risk.

Treatment of diverticulitis

The British Journal of Clinical Practice says, “A high-fibre diet is effective in treating diverticulitis disease.” Research shows that fibre is essential for the prevention and treatment of diverticulitis.

Even when you have diverticulitis, you may not know it because the diverticula are usually painless and cause few symptoms. Sometimes, there are no symptoms. Sometimes, you may experience cramping on your left side that disappears when you pass gas or move your bowels. And, because diverticula will occasionally bleed, your stool may contain bright red blood.

You should consult your doctor if you have a fever, chills, abdominal swelling, or vomiting; the abdomen becomes rigid, and movement causes pain. Or blood appears in stools, indicating internal bleeding.

Diverticulitis

Diverticulitis is when the diverticula (sac-like, pea-sized protrusions in the intestinal wall) are inflamed. Besides, they typically form if an individual suffers from frequent constipation and eating a low-fibre diet may be a contributory factor. Diverticulitis can be either acute or chronic.

Symptoms

Symptoms include cramping, bloating, tenderness on the left side of the abdomen that is relieved by passing gas or a bowel movement, constipation or diarrhoea, nausea, and an almost continual need to eliminate. Because the large intestine walls often weaken as a person ages, this condition affects old rather than young people. Nobody knows what causes diverticulitis. However, we know that smoking and stress make symptoms worse. Poor eating habits compound the problem. A poor diet, a family history of the disease, gallbladder disease, obesity, and coronary artery disease increases the chances of diverticulitis. It is a classic example of a stress-related disorder.

Recommendations:

  • The key to controlling this disorder is consuming adequate fibre and quality water. Drink at least eight 8oz glasses of filtered water daily. Herbal teas, broth, and live juices can also contain some liquid needed. Liquid aids in keeping the pouch-like areas clean of toxic wastes, preventing inflammation.
  • Eat a low carbohydrate diet with high protein levels from vegetable sources and fish. However, do not eat grains, seeds or nuts except well-cooked brown rice. These foods are hard to digest, resulting in bloating and gas. Also, eliminate dairy products, red meat, sugar products, fried foods, spices and processed foods.
  • Eat plenty of leafy green vegetables. These are good sources of vitamin K.  Obtaining this vitamin from the diet is especially important for people with intestinal disorders.
  • Eat garlic for its healing and detoxifying properties.

Recommendations during an acute attack of diverticulitis:

  • During a severe attack, your doctor may recommend a low-fibre diet temporarily. Once the inflammation clears, slowly switch back to a high-fibre diet.
  • When an attack or pain begins, you may want to use a cleansing enema using two quarts of warm water and the juice of a fresh lemon. It helps to rid the colon of undigested and entrapped food and to relieve pain.
  • Take four charcoal tablets or capsules with a large glass of water (available at health food shops) to absorb trapped gas on the day of an acute attack. Always take charcoal separately from medications and other supplements, and do not take it for prolonged periods, as it absorbs beneficial nutrients and gas!
  • During severe attacks, use liquid or colloidal vitamin supplements for better assimilation and put all fruits and vegetables through a blender. Eat steamed vegetables only. Organic baby foods are right until healing is complete. Add psyllium to baby foods for gentle fibre. Drink “green” drinks (such as Udo’s Beyond Greens), carrot and cabbage juices.
  • Massage the left side of the abdomen to relieve pain. Stand up and do stretching exercises.
  • DO NOT overuse laxatives; they can irritate the colon wall.

Considerations:

Food allergies/intolerances are often a cause of intestinal disorders. We advise Allergy testing.
Your doctor may recommend antibiotics. Be sure to consume organic plain yoghurt or probiotic supplements to replenish beneficial bacteria in the gut.

Supplements:

  • Probiotics – beneficial bacteria (bio-Bifidus) are essential to replace flora in the small intestine, primarily to improve assimilation.
  • Vitamin B complex – 100mg of each significant B vitamin thrice daily. It would be best if you had it for all enzyme systems in the body and proper digestion.
  • Digestive enzyme complex – 1 with meals to break down proteins.
  • Essential fatty acids – 1g of omega-3 fish oils three times a day. It improves lymphatic function and aids in protecting the cells lining the colon’s wall. Also essential for reducing inflammation.
  • Garlic – 2 capsules three times a day. It aids in digestion and destroys unwanted bacteria and parasites.
  • Take L-glutamine – 500mg twice daily, on an empty stomach and taken with water or juice. Please do not take it with milk (it competes for protein digestion). A primary metabolic fuel for the intestinal cells maintains the villi (finger-like projections on the wall of the intestines through which nutrients are absorbed).
  • Vitamin C – 2mg/3mg daily in divided doses. It reduces inflammation and boosts immune response.
  • Chlorella