Diverticulitis is a condition where the muscous
membranes of the colon lining become inflamed causing the formation of small pouchy areas called
diverticula in the large
intestine. Once these form they may not go away. It maybe caused by eating a low fiber diet and poor
nutrition. Symptoms may include: bloating, cramping, constipation, diarrhea, there maybe blood in the stool.
Diverticulitis normally affects people over 50 years old but as with other health problems the age seems to
be lowering. Smoking and
stress will
probably make the problem worse and even trigger them. Poor eating habits and not getting
the right nutrients also increase the chances of having both
anemia
and diverticulitis.
Diverticulitis is a health condition where the mucous
membranes that line the colon become inflamed, causing the
formation of small, pouch like areas called diverticula in the
large intestine. When diverticula develop, they do not
normally go
away. The diverticula themselves may cause no symptoms,
however when waste matter becomes trapped in them, they will become infected
and inflamed, causing fever, chills, and pain. Diverticula
normally form when the person with them is constipated. Eating a
low fiber diet, as is typical in industrialized countries such
as the USA, may contribute to the development of
diverticulitis. Without the fiber to soften and add bulk, stools
are more difficult to pass. Greatly increased pressure is required to
force small portions of hard, dry stool through the bowel.
This rise in pressure can cause pouches to form at weak points
in the wall of the colon. Diverticulitis may be acute or may
be chronic. Its symptoms include: cramping, bloating, tenderness on
the left side of the abdomen that is relieved by passing gas
or a bowel movement, constipation
or diarrhea, nausea, and an almost
continual need to eliminate waste.
There may be blood in the stool.
Diverticulitis normally affects people between the ages of 50 and
90, however younger people may also be affected especially
with their poor diet and nutrition. It affects millions of Americans, but many
people do not even know they have the condition because they
either experience no symptoms or think their symptoms are just
simple indigestion. Exactly why
is not known, but it is known that smoking and stress make
symptoms worse. In fact, diverticulitis is a primary example of a
stress related problem. Poor eating habits make the problem
worse and may even be a major cause. A poor diet, a family history of the disease,
gallbladder disease, obesity, and
coronary
artery disease all increase the risk of developing
diverticulitis.
There are several diagnostic tests available
to help diagnose diverticulitis. A barium enema is a procedure
in which the colon is filled with liquid barium and x-rays are
taken to reveal pouches in the colon wall, narrowing of the
colon, or other abnormalities. With sigmoidoscopy, a thin,
flexible lighted tube is inserted into the rectum to give the
physician a closer look at the lower colon. If necessary,
tissue samples can be removed for examination. To see into
other parts of the colon, a colonoscopy must be performed.
This is similar to a sigmoidoscopy, but allows a view of the
entire colon. However, as always the best thing is prevention
and the information and supplements on this webpage can help
with preventing diverticulitis and related health problems.
Nutrient /
Supplement |
Importance
( 1 - 10 ) |
Helpful notes |
Colon
cleansing |
10 |
a good colon intestinal cleansing
may help to clean out toxins and to balance the lower digestive system. It is also
very helpful if it also has ingredients like lactobacillus acidophilus,
lactobacillus rhanosus, bifidobacterium longum, and
lactobacillus plantarum to help rebuild the good bacteria
needed for proper digestion and absorption of your food. |
Omega
fatty acids |
10 |
helps to improve lymphatic function
and aids in the protection of the lining of the colon wall. Fatty acids are found in
omega fatty acids from fish and flax and borage seed oils from
plants. |
vitamin C |
8 |
helps reduce inflammation and boosts the immune system. Can be taken in a
good multi-vitamin and mineral supplement. |
vitamin
K |
8 |
helps with all types
of intestinal disorders |
Alfalfa |
8 |
herb that contains
vitamin K |
Aloe
vera |
8 |
herb that helps with
digestive and intestinal health problems |
Chamomile |
8 |
herb that works with
aloe vera for stress relief |
Red
Clover |
8 |
herb that helps detox
and heal the gastrointestinal system |
Multi-vitamin
& Mineral supplement |
10 |
vitamin B complex, vitamin A, vitamin E,
and other vitamins, minerals, trace minerals, all serve to
help balance the body and provide nutrients to prevent diverticulitis and other realted health
disorders. The nutrients found in a daily supplement are
needed for good general health and well being. |
Garlic |
8 |
garlic has been
shown to aid in digestion and also helps to destroy both
bad parasites and bad bacteria. |
Glutamine |
8 |
an important metabolic
fuel for the intestines |
vitamin
A |
8 |
aids in healing the
lining of the colon |
vitamin
E |
8 |
powerful anti oxidant
that helps to protect the mucous membranes |
Other Changes To Make
-
drink 6-8 glasses of steam distilled or
filtered water a day
-
eat 50% raw fruits and vegetables (organic is best)
-
nuts, seeds, and whole grains are good
-
juice is good (make your
own with a juice machine)
-
do not worry as much about calories as eating the right foods
-
carrot and celery sticks are good to use as a snack
-
a colon cleansing can be very helpful - (do several times each year)
-
do not drink coffee, alcohol, soda pop, other junk food drinks
-
do not eat processed foods white sugar, white flour, etc...
-
use stress relief like going for walks in the park
(or the 10/90 rule - see
Stress)
-
brown rice is good to eat
-
avoid red meat and animal fats
-
reduce dairy products cheese, milk, and others
-
fast a few days a month
-
get at least 8 hours of sleep
-
exercise light to moderate amounts
-
avoid artificial sweeteners like Aspartame and NutraSweet
-
do not smoke and avoid second hand smoke
-
do not skip meals - just eat better and not as much at each meal
-
do not chew gum - it can cause you to feel hungry
-
do not watch too much TV try reading a book or something else
|