Diverticulitis is a medical condition that happens when small pouches grow in the wall of the colon and become inflamed or infected. When our food is not broken down correctly, it ends up trapped in the diverticular and becomes painful.
Swelling, ruptures and infection can also occur in the abdominal area. Diverticulitis is a lot like appendicitis and can become serious if treatment is not sought.
Some problems that can occur include: peritonitis, abscess, rupture, perforation, obstruction in the bowel and fistula.
Diverticulosis is the condition that precedes diverticulitis. As we age we are more prone to developing this condition with half of Americans age 60 to 80 diagnosed with it. Diverticulitis only occurs in 10 to 25 percent of those diagnosed with diverticulosis.
Predisposing factors that may contribute to diverticulitis include:
- Low-fiber diet leads to low-bulk stool increasing the pressure
- Aging (older than 50) causes changes in collagen structure that may weaken the colonic wall
- Genetics – In Asian people right-sided diverticula are more common while Western people tend to have left-sided diverticula
- Colonic motility disorders
- Obesity
- Use of corticosteroids and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
Problems rarely occur and people are not normally even aware that these sac like pouches are present. It takes an acute attack to alarm an individual about it’s presence. These sacs mostly appear in the large intestine but they can form anywhere in the digestive tract from the esophagus all the way to the small intestine.
There are many things to be on the lookout for when dealing with an acute diverticulitis attack: Burning sensation during urination, pain in the abdomen, urinating more frequently, fever, chills, rectal bleeding, nausea, purging, constipation, diarrhea and bloating in the abdomen. If you are dealing with one or several of these symptoms then you should seek your doctor for a rectal examination right away.
The treatment is dependent on several factors including whether or not this is your first attack and if an infection is present. If the cramping is mild and your stomach is not so bad then you should be careful not to eat fruits, vegetables or whole grain food. Practice deep breathing and meditate, if you already know how. You need to stay calm and relaxed so that your body has a chance to recover on it’s own.
Tips to prevent diverticulitis
- Eat fiber-rich foods such as fresh fruit, vegetables and whole grain breads and cereals to relieve constipation
- Drink at eight glasses of water daily to cleanse the body and keep the digestive system moving
- Exercise regularly because the more active you become, the less likely you are to develop diverticulitis
- Avoid delaying bowel movements rather respond quickly to avoid increased pressure in the colon
- Reduce your intake of red meat and instead substitute it with chicken or fish
- Add a fiber supplement such as psyllium seed bulking agents to your diet
- Avoid foods containing small seeds such as tomatoes and popcorn, as well as using whole-seed spices such as cumin and sesame – seeds may lodge in diverticula and cause inflammation
- Cleanse your colon to help prevent toxic buildup by using colonic irrigation or herbal cleanses
- Avoid using laxatives, enemas and narcotic medications that can cause constipation
- Learn to enjoy meals more by sitting down to eat, eating slower and paying attention to your food
The doctor is likely to prescribe an antibiotic to fight off an infection and recommend mild pain relievers that you can buy over the counter. Using a heating pad can help to get rid of some of the discomfort.
If you are having a serious attack then you might need to spend some time in the hospital where you can receive fluids and antibiotics through an IV. Severe cases often require surgery to get rid of an obstruction to your bowels.
Natural remedies can help to calm your digestive system down. German Chamomile, Meadowsweet and Filipendula Ulmaria will help to reduce the inflammation and soothe your digestive tract. Slippery Elm and Cancer Bush are good at addressing any pain that you are experiencing. Make sure that you still talk to your doctor if you are in a lot of pain or are having several of the symptoms that I described, above.
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