Getting Clear on… Diverticulitis
Your stomach hurts. Maybe you’ve been experiencing severe abdominal pain, fever, nausea, and a change in your bowel movements.
Symptoms that aren’t passive and create an obvious interruption to your life. You’ll have several visits with doctors, after which you’re diagnosed with Diverticulitis.
Now what?
Understanding Diverticulitis
Small, bulging pouches called diverticulae can form in the lining of your digestive system, most typically found in the colon. Diverticula are marble-sized pouches to protrude through the colon wall and usually develop when naturally weak places in your colon give way under pressure.
The fact that they exist in your intestines brings the diagnosis of a condition called diverticulosis and it’s quite common in people after the age of 40.
But when one or more of the pouches become torn, inflamed, or possibly infected… it becomes much more serious and this is what’s called diverticulitis.
At this point you’ll need to consider which treatment method to remove symptpoms and regain your optimum gut health that suits you best.
What To Do
Mild diverticulitis (or DV) can be treated with rest, changes in your diet, and antibiotics. But there’s also the possibility that severe or recurring DV may require surgery.
Of course, avoiding diverticulitis is possible before it occurs.
Here are some preventative measures you can take:
Exercise promotes normal bowel function and reduces pressure in the colon. Be sure to exercise at least 30 minutes everyday.
A high-fiber diet such as fresh fruits and vegetables and whole grains, soften waste material and help it pass more quickly through your colon.
Drink water! Fibre works by absorbing water and increasing the soft, bulky waste in your colon. Drink enough liquid to replace what's absorbed or else fiber can be constipating.
Maintain balanced gut health through eating a healthy diet that includes vitamins and nutrients from plenty of veggies.
Besides these things you CAN do, there is a list of high risk situations to avoid.
These things that have been shown to increase your odds of getting DV:
Obesity.
Smoking
A sedentary lifestyle.
Diet high in animal fat and low in fiber.
Certain medications including, steroids, opioids, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others) and naproxen sodium (Aleve).
Healing Protocols
Is there anything else you can do to heal, prevent even worse symptoms, or avoid getting diverticulitis altogether? There is so much you can do!
As a clinical nutritionist, I see patients all the time who are experiencing health issues that originate with or affect overall gut health. And with a personalised plan that suits each person specifically, we’ve been able to all but eliminate diverticulitis and it’s symptoms.
The first thing to keep in mind is that this is a condition related to systemic inflammation, which means you’ll need to work to tame your internal flame. This includes eating low inflammatory foods and including specific vitamins and supplements in your diet plan.
Your unique needs must be considered, working with a nutritionist is recommended when using natural and holistic ways to control your condition.
Summary
It’s common as you increase in age over 40 that you’ll develop divertuculae, or pockets in your colon. They aren’t always an issue, but they really become a problem when they become inflamed or infected and that’s when you’ll feel symptoms such as changes in your bowel habits, fever, severe abdominal pain, or nausea.
You’ll have to treat them at that point, some options include immune suppressant medications or even having surgery. But, as with all diseases, it’s better to practice preventative measures to avoid discomfort and complications.
Reduce your systemic inflammation with healthy self-care habits such as daily exercise, avoiding cigarettes and certain medications, and adding fiber and plenty of water to keep your intestinal tract operating smoothly.
You can also work with a certified nutritionist and health coach who will work to create a delicious diet that promotes proper gut health and eliminates inflammation and help you keep your balance throughout your whole body.
Want to create your own path to healing? Download my FREE eBook: Write Your Own Prescription to get started!
