Diverticulitis: natural treatments

Little known, diverticulitis is an inflammation characterized by severe pain. Discover the complications that this disease can cause. And take the right steps to prevent this mild or serious infection. Symptoms, causes, natural treatments… We tell you everything about inflammation of the diverticulum, not to be confused with diverticulosis.

Summary

Diverticulitis: What is that ?

The diverticulum is a hernia of the colonic mucosa. We speak of diverticulitis when the hernia undergoes inflammation. It occurs after the stagnation of feces, which generates a proliferation of microbes. This is an infection that can be serious.

Diverticulitis should not be confused with colonic diverticulosis. The latter generally occurs in seniors and is widespread in Western countries. Usually it does not cause any symptoms, and it is discovered during an examination for digestive problems. On the contrary, diverticulitis causes severe pain.

Symptoms

Diverticulitis is manifested by a high intensity pain. It can also lead to abscess formation in the hernia, bleeding, and even obstruction of the colon or small intestine.

Rarely, diverticulitis progresses to the formation of a fistula. It is a conduit whose presence appears to be abnormal between the colon and the organs of the abdominal cavity (bladder, uterus, vagina, small intestine).

Finally, diverticulitis can also turn into peritonitis if the abscess tears. In this case, part of the contents of the intestine spills into the abdominal cavity. Peritonitis requires emergency surgery.

In case of fever, severe abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting or diarrhoea, consult a doctor without delay.

The causes

Certain risk factors lead to diverticulitis. Among them, a sedentary lifestyle, lack of physical activity, smoking, and a diet low in fiber.

In fact, the formation of diverticula occurs when areas of weakness in the wall of the colon stretch under pressure. This creates a small lesion on the wall of the hernia and infection sets in.

Natural treatments

A healthy lifestyle

Mild diverticulitis can be treated in a simple way, by adopting good gestures. On the advice of your doctor, modify your diet by consuming more fiber (fruits, vegetables, whole grains, etc.).

You will also need to rest, and stay well hydrated by drinking plenty of water throughout the day.

Within a week you will feel better. And then you can practice physical activity on a regular basis. This helps prevent the risk of diverticulitis.

However, in cases of severe diverticulitis, hospital treatment is necessary. You will then be given intravenous nutrition, along with antibiotics.

Foods to avoid

Certain foods should be avoided in your diet in order to avoid the occurrence of diverticulitis or diverticulosis.

Among them :

refined products (white bread, breakfast cereals, pastries, pastries, pancakes, waffles, couscous, risotto, fries, crisps, etc.). Devoid of fibers, they do not facilitate the evacuation of stools;
fats (butter, margarine, vegetable oil, stew, etc.);
fatty meats (chicken skin, etc.), cheeses, fried foods;
prepared meals;
processed industrial foods;
sugar ;
the alcohol…

Favorite foods

To replace products that are not recommended, use practical advice on a daily basis:

prefer brown rice to white rice;
eat fruits and vegetables containing fiber such as apples, pears (with skin), raspberries, blackberries, prunes, apricots, dates, peas, beets, carrots, broccoli, cabbage, turnips, potatoes (with skin ), corn…
regularly eat legumes (red or white beans, lentils, chickpeas);
complement your yogurts, compotes and soups with wheat or oat bran.

More natural treatments: