Posted in Category : Common Ailments | October 14, 2009

Natural Cure for Diverticulitis

Diverticulitis is a condition caused when bulging sacs of tissue formed on the colon burst due to pressure. These small sacs are referred to as diverticulum and the condition caused by their bursting is called diverticulitis. The most common area of occurrence for diverticulum is the end of the left colon, but they can also come up throughout the length of the colon. Weakened spots on the colon are pushed out by immense pressure, forming a sac that can have adverse effects. Pressure builds up on the colon by an inability to pass proper motions because of a deficiency of fiber in the diet. With age, the wall of the colon gets thicker, making it more difficult for waste to pass through the colon.

The symptoms of diverticulitis include abdominal pain, abdominal weakness and fever. Any bleeding that takes place from the bursting of a diverticulum is called diverticular bleeding. However, most patients show no signs or symptoms of diverticulitis. In more serious cases, constipation, abdominal cramps, colonic obstruction and collection of pus in the pelvic cavity are definite symptoms of diverticulitis. On rare occasions, a diverticulum ruptures in the abdominal cavity, thereby causing a very serious condition known as peritonitis. Peritonitis is life threatening and needs urgent medical attention.

In order to prevent diverticulitis, a dietary change is recommended. Your diet must contain many fibrous foods. Fiber is essential for easing the passage of waste through the colon. It is also advisable to avoid foods like nuts, corn and seeds which cause a blocking of the diverticular openings, which leads to diverticulitis. You should also change your intake of food to taking five or six smaller amounts of food throughout the day instead of three large meals at fixed timings. Foods such as garlic, papaya, brown rice and pears are also very good for treating diverticulitis. Garlic has a natural ability to detoxify the body, keeping the digestive system free from all toxic waste products. Papaya also has a very soothing effect on the inflammation of the diverticulum and helps you to be more at ease. Brown rice is extremely rich in fiber, when compared to white rice, and soothes the colon, allowing waste to pass through without difficulty. Pear, taken baked or juiced helps to soothe the inflamed colon, and is recommended for treatment of diverticulitis. Fruits and vegetables have very high fiber content and are recommended to treat this condition.

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