Diverticulitis and Diverticulosis

Overview

Diverticulosis is a condition in which balloon-like sacs or pockets extend outward from the intestinal tract walls. When these sacs become irritated, the resulting condition is called diverticulitis. Only a tiny portion of people with diverticulosis ever develop diverticulitis, nevertheless. Both conditions are direct consequences of the regular American diet plan and therefore are virtually nonexistent among people around the world whose diet consists of whole foods, with a focus on vegetables and fruit, which both provide an abundant supply of healthy and necessary dietary fiber.

Symptoms of Diverticulosis and Diverticulitis

Diverticulosis is generally not associated with any obvious symptoms. Nevertheless, people with this condition commonly possess pieces of fecal matter lodged in the sacs of the colon, where they become stale which can result in a buildup of poisons. Symptoms of diverticulitis are more noticeable, and can range from debilitating abdominal pain, to excessive gas, sluggish waste elimination, constipation, diarrhea and mucus in the stools. In certain cases, the pain can be severe and mimic those of appendicitis, and is often linked to IBS, irritable bowel syndrome.

Causes of Diverticulosis and Diverticulitis

The primary cause of both diverticulosis and diverticulitis is a poor diet that is lacking in fresh fruits and vegetables and other fiber-rich foods. Other causes can include food allergies, lack of exercise, “leaky gut” syndrome, and pharmaceutical drugs.

Poor Diet: An unhealthy diet plan is the primary cause of both problems. Such a diet is high in commercially processed foods, refined carbohydrates, and foods with chemicals and harmful fats, for example hydrogenated and tran-saturated fat. The majority of oils found on the supermarket shelves tend to be chemically enhanced or artificial, and none are safe to consume except for extra virgin olive oil, which is best when purchased in dark bottles. To locate healthy consumable oils, one must shop outside of traditional grocery stores at health food stores, where a wide variety of wholesome options can be found. Typical foods found in grocery stores contain a high amount of chemical additives and chemical preservatives, while lacking adequate amounts of fiber. Eating a diet similar to this, not only places a great load on the gastrointestinal tract, but can also result in serious nutritional deficiencies. All of these factors when combined can lead to extra acidity in the GI tract, indigestion, poor absorption of nutrients, “leaky gut,” syndrome, a buildup of toxins, as well as autoimmune responses.

Food Allergic reactions: Food allergic reactions, while often overlooked or misdiagnosed by conventional physicians, are another potential reason for diverticulosis and diverticulitis, as well as many other illness conditions. If you suffer from these problems, it is very important that you be tested for food allergies and sensitivities. Typical allergy-causing foods include whole milk and milk products, wheat, gluten (a component associated with wheat products), corn, soya, peanuts and chocolate, however any food has the potential to cause food allergies. Quite often, the most irritating foods tend to be ones that are commonly eaten as staples within ones diet plan, foods a person continues to eat over and over. Be aware that it is common to crave the foods you’re allergic to. Food allergies alone may and frequently are the cause of serious digestive system stress.

Insufficient Exercise: Failing to exercise regularly can result in diminished production of digestive system and pancreatic enzymes, in addition to hydrochloric acid (HCl), which are essential for healthy gastrointestinal function and which, if lacking, can result in a wide variety of gastrointestinal disorders.

Pharmaceutical Drugs: These drugs can all cause and exacerbate various intestinal disorders, such as diverticulitis: Accutane, Antacid and Alka-Seltzer Pain Reducer, Anturane, Genuine Bayer Pain killers, Bayer Aspirin, Bayer Regular Strength Enteric Aspirin, Bufferin Analgesic Tablets and Caplets, Ceptaz, Clinoril, Cuprimine, Ecotrin Enteric, Feldene, Ilosone, Lamprene, Leukine for IV Infusion, Lopid, Marplan, Meclomen, Novantrone, Paraplatin, Piroxicam, Retrovir, Rynatuss, Supprelin Injection, Suprax, Ticlid, Tolectin, Toradol, Trecator-SC, Trilisate, as well as Voltaren.

Organic Cures

Aromatherapy: A mixture of the oils of cinnamon and extra virgin olive oil massaged into the stomach and abdomen can help to relieve signs and symptoms.

Diet: A natural based whole-foods diet, high in fiber, is essential for curing both diverticulosis and diverticulitis, and is also the easiest method to prevent both conditions from developing in the first place. Avoid all commercially processed meals, including sugar of all types, even if they are organic. Avoid all refined carbohydrates, unhealthy fats, coffee and other caffeine containing items, sodas, commercial non-herbal teas, alcohol, powerful spices, and all milk and dairy products. Get tested for potential food allergies and sensitivities and steer clear of those foods for which you test positive. In addition, think about a rotation or elimination diet in order to further reduce the likelihood of food allergies. Additionally avoid food that can easily become lodged in intestinal sacs, for example unblended, prepared, or roasted nuts and seeds, as well as fruit with small seed products, such as raspberries. Unless these foods are soaked and whipped smooth into sauces, smoothies or spreads, they can irritate the digestive system.

Stress a diet rich in organic whole foods, especially plenty of organic, fresh green vegetables as well as green veggie drinks. Free-range organic meat and chicken, and wild-caught fish are also recommended. Ensure to drink plenty of pure filtered water during the day. Choose natural, raw, virgin coconut butter/oil, which is the preferred oil to cook with and high lignin flaxseed oil which may be blended in to green fruit juices and smoothies, mixed as salad dressing with olive oil, or drizzled on steamed vegetables or cooked whole grains.

The Specific Carb Diet—A dietary approach that is found to be efficient in nearly all diverticulosis as well as diverticulitis instances is called the Specific Carbohydrate Diet. It was created by Elaine Gottschall, and is dependent on the research of the late Sidney V. Haas, M.D., who learned that most gastrointestinal disorders are caused by an imbalance of carbohydrates in relationship to the organisms that normally occur in the gastrointestinal system.

According to Dr. Haas, when this relationship becomes unbalanced, the microorganisms develop unchecked and release poisons, causing poor absorption of meals, and especially poor digestive function of carbohydrates, a staple of the western diet plan. To reverse this pattern, Haas, and later, Gottschall developed the strict dietary regimen which comprises the Specific Carbohydrate Diet. Based on her work with countless patients with severe gastrointestinal disorders, Gottschall has found that the diet may yield total results in as little as three weeks, but only if it’s unwaveringly followed. Her guide, listed below within the Quick Plan of action, is highly recommended. Below is a quick synopsis of the diet, with our own additions, that stress the use of natural foods.

Avoid all prepared, smoked, processed or breaded meat, seafood, seaweed, cheeses, seeds, potatoes, yams, parsnips, chick peas, coffee beans, soybeans, mung beans, fava beans, and just about all cereal grains in any form, including flour. Avoid milk, and all products commercially made from whole milk, dried milk, buttermilk or acidophilus milk, in a commercially prepared yogurt, sour cream and frozen treats. Do not eat soymilk, instant tea, espresso, coffee alternatives, beer, corn starch, arrowroot, chocolate, carob, bouillon cubes, instant soups, any product made with processed sugar, agar-agar, carrageenan, pectin, ketchup, molasses, corn and maple syrup, any flour made from dried beans, and baking powder.

Consume: Fresh or frozen, preferably organic meat, poultry, wild caught fish, organic eggs, organic raw milk and cheeses, homemade yogurt made at reduced temperatures from raw natural milk, and dry curd cottage cheese. Choose from a wide variety of freshly prepared, organic vegetables. Vegetables and fruits are the main stay of this diet. Absolutely no canned foods with the exception of sodium-free canned red salmon, white albacore tuna or sardines, preferably just on occasion. Daily juicing with fresh green vegetables is an important addition for healing and offers a person deep nutritional nourishment. With this and all illness, providing yourself with the most supportive nutritional profile possible is of main importance.

Follow this diet plan for as long as your symptoms persist. Adhering to this diet can be challenging, but maintenance is essential to obtain the desired results.

Fasting: A water or vegetable juice fast for 1-3 days is a superb way to relieve symptoms, especially during acute diverticulitis episodes.

Herbal Treatments: The primary herbal remedy recommended by herbalists for both diverticulosis as well as diverticulitis is known as Robert’s Method, which includes the use of comfrey, Echinacea, geranium, goldenseal, marshmallow root, stick root, slick elm, as well as wild indigo. Robert’s Method can be found on the internet and at well stocked health food stores. For best results, enjoy this mixture with licorice root tea. As your symptoms improve, continue taking Robert’s Method; in addition, include liquid chlorophyll in the quantity indicated on the bottle.

Homeopathy: Useful homeopathic remedies consist of Belladonna, Bryonia, and Colocynthis.

Hydrotherapy: Hydrotherapy is the process of using water, ice, steam and alternating hot and cold temperatures to maintain and restore health. Treatments consist of full body immersion, steam baths, saunas, sitz baths, colonic irrigation and the application of hot as and/or cold compresses. Hydrotherapy works well for dealing with a wide range of conditions and may be easily used in your home as part of a self-care plan. Many Naturopathic Physicians, Physiotherapists and day spas use Hydrotherapy included in treatment. We suggest a number of at-home hydrotherapy treatments. Make sure you seek the recommendation of your alternative health care practitioner before proceeding with these methods to make sure they are appropriate for you.

Hyperthermia: Hyperthermia involves artificially creating a fever in the body for the purpose of boosting immune function. Hyperthermia can be a highly effective method of eliminating toxins, heavy metals, as well as infectious bacteria and viruses that cannot survive in elevated body temperatures. We recommend several at-home hyperthermia treatments. Please seek the advice of an alternative healthcare practitioner prior to undergoing these types of sweat-inducing procedures to make sure they are appropriate for you.

*Pure water is essential for any hydrotherapy or hyperthermia treatment.

Juice Treatment: Useful juice combinations consist of carrot, celery, beet, and cabbage juice; green juices; and the mixed juices associated with papaya, apple company, lemon, and pineapple.

Lifestyle: If you smoke cigarettes, stop, as well as avoid contact with secondhand cigarette smoke. In addition, learn how to effectively deal with and handle stress. Also engage in a stable exercise program that you can adhere to.

If you are currently taking aspirin or other NSAIDs, consider instead taking safer, more effective natural treatments. Painkillers, especially ibuprofen and aspirin can be highly harmful to the digestive system track.

Supplements: Useful dietary supplements for both diverticulosis as well as diverticulitis consist of B-complex nutritional vitamins, vitamin C, as well as probiotics such as acidophilus and Bifidobacteria. Two other highly effective supplements are fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS) and soil-based microorganisms. FOS is a brand-natural carbohydrate microorganism that has been shown by scientists to serve as a fertilizing broker that enables Bifidobacteria to thrive in the large intestine, exactly where it helps to safeguard against parasites. Digestive nutrients may also prove to be a valuable addition. Working with an alternative practitioner that uses kinesiology or even electral dermal screen testing will help determine if you need nutrients; alternatively, you can try some yourself and see if they make a difference within digesting meals. Try using hydrochloric acid with all of protein dependent meals, which often provides great relief.

Soil-based organisms are advantageous microbes found in soil. Taken as a health supplement, they start working to detoxify the gastrointestinal tract while eliminating fungus, molds, parasites, viruses, and yeasts. They also help to improve the absorption of nutrients and both immune and general cell function, including the manufacture of RNA and DNA. Additionally, they behave as natural antioxidants.

Alternative Professional Care

The following therapies can also help to prevent and relieve diverticulosis and diverticulitis: Acupuncture, Ayurveda, Biofeedback Instruction and Neurotherapy, Detoxification Treatment, Electrodermal Screening, Environmental Medicine, Enzyme Therapy, NAET, Naturopathic Medicine, Osteopathic Medicine, Qigong, Tai Chi, Traditional Chinese Medicine, and Yoga exercise. (See References for descriptions of these Alternative Therapies.)