A Holistic Approach To Health

Living With Diverticulitis

I had a question the other day about diverticulitis.

Diverticulosis happens when pouches (diverticula) form in the wall of your colon.

If these pouches get inflamed or infected, it’s called diverticulitis.

Diverticulitis can be very painful.

Doctors aren’t sure what causes the pouches to form in your colon.

But, they think a low-fiber diet may play a role.

Without fiber to add bulk to your stool, your colon has to work harder than normal to push your stool forward.

The pressure from this may cause pouches to form in weak spots along your colon.

Diverticulitis happens when feces get trapped in these pouches.

This allows bacteria to grow in the pouches.

This leads to inflammation or infection.

Symptoms of diverticulitis may last from a few hours to a week or more.

Symptoms include belly pain (usually in the lower left side, that’s sometimes worse when you move), fever and chills, bloating and gas, diarrhea or constipation, nausea and sometimes vomiting, and not feeling like eating.

The treatment you need depends on how bad your symptoms are and whether you have an infection.

You may need to have a liquid diet at first, and then return to solid food when you start feeling better.

For mild cramps and belly pain use a heating pad, set on low, on your belly.   Relax.

It’s hard to know the exact incidence of diverticulosis, but in general it’s more likely with age.

About 20 out of 100 people who are diagnosed with diverticulosis develop diverticulitis.

Men and women are affected almost equally.

To deal with diverticulitis it’s beneficial to:

*Exercise.

*Eat healthy meals.

*Don’t smoke.

*Drink 6-8 cups of purified water daily to keep hydrated.

*If you do have diarrhea, Optiflora may be taken after each bout to replenish the “good” bacteria.

*Food sensitivities/allergies and diet must investigated and addressed.

*Avoid all dairy until your intestine has healed.

*Avoid sugars, grains, carbs, soda pop, alcohol, caffeine, processed products until healed.

*May be beneficial to lightly steam veggies.

*Increase Omega-3 fats intake.

*Consider a liver, gallbladder and/or colon cleanse.

*Practice good stress and relaxation techniques.

Recommendations:

It’s essential to use:  Vita-Lea, Protein, Optiflora (1 dose after each major bowel movement), Garlic, Herb-Lax, DTX.

It’s important to use:  Alfalfa, B-Complex, Vitamin D, Performance (particularly if diarrhea is severe).

It’s beneficial to use:  Vitamin C, Stomach Soothing Complex, Immunity Formula.

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email:  lenayphillipps@gmail.com

PS:  If you have any questions about diverticulitis, and would like to know how supplements can help, give us a call at 715-431-0657.  We’re here to help.