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Home Remedies for Diverticulitis – What Happens to Your Colon If You Leave Untreated?

Introduction

Diverticulitis can be a severe pain you feel in your digestive tract. It might prevent you from enjoying any meals on a daily basis, and in the long term, this problem has adverse effects on your health.

In fact, diverticulitis can be quickly treated or avoided if you adjust your diet in a positive way. Let’s check top natural home Remedies for diverticulitis if you are suffering from it! And do not forget to find out more about how to prevent diverticulitis efficiently!

What is Diverticulitis?

Diverticulitis, which is related to the colon, happens when the diverticula are inflamed. The inflammation is shown through the forming of small abnormal sacs in the wall of the intestines [1][2].

The causes of diverticulitis can be related to some unhealthy activities such as having low fiber diet, controlling bowel movements or lacking physical activities. It is essential to know that diet has significant effects on your possibility of getting diverticulitis. Besides, people over 40 years old are more likely to experience this problem.

According to statistics, about one-tenth of over-40-year-old American people suffer from diverticulitis. The number is higher for older groups.

If you do not address this problem on time and in the right way, the infections might result in scarring in your digestive tract. Later, the scar tissues are responsible for blockage which affect a part or all parts of your colon. Therefore, it is imperative to treat diverticulitis as soon as possible.

Symptoms of Diverticulitis

Each case requires a specific kind of treatment. Therefore, you need to recognize some common signs of diverticulitis so that you can figure out how severe your condition is. If you are getting only mild diverticulitis, it is simple with our natural home remedies for diverticulitis.

Some common signs and symptoms of diverticulitis include:

  • abdominal pain
  • cramp in the lower abdomen
  • nausea or bloating
  • constipation
  • fever
  • chills
  • irregular bowel movement [3]

What Causes Diverticulitis?

Several factors are responsible for diverticulitis, and diet is the most common one. Typically, the Western diet contains a large amount of sugar, unhealthy fats, and highly processed foods. As a consequence, these substances cause the growth of diverticula, affecting your rectum.

Besides, a diet which lacks fiber can be another reason for diverticulitis. Do not forget other possible causes, such as:

  • Obesity
  • Aging
  • Use of prescription medications, like steroids or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories
  • Smoking
  • Lack of exercise

When you have one of those factors and your diet is short of fiber, it is likely that you have marble-sized diverticular, which finally leads to inflammation and infection.

Home Remedies for Diverticulitis

Diverticulitis can cause some sudden severe pains. Although the pain might be relieved after that, it will come back later and be worse. Therefore, diverticulitis should be curbed as soon as possible [4].

Fortunately, in most cases, you can get rid of diverticulitis with simple, natural ingredients around you. They exist in your kitchen, and you have already known where to find our home remedies for diverticulitis.

As diet has significant impacts on diverticulitis, the suggestion is to start with changing your diet. Know which to choose and you will get rid of this problem quickly.

Here are the top 18 most useful home remedies for diverticulitis for you to apply at home to treat the symptoms of diverticulitis and improve your digestive system!

Garlic

Garlic is one of the best home remedies for diverticulitis thanks to its antibacterial and antifungal properties. It can be found easily in your kitchen as one of common spices for cooking [5][6].

Garlic

You can supplement garlic directly to your daily diet to get the best results. Eat some fresh garlic cloves by adding to your favorite food such as salads and soups. It is effective in not only treating diverticulitis but also improving the taste.

Raw garlic is very useful in soothing the digestive tract and get rid of harmful things that can create diverticula inside your body.

See more effects of garlic for home remedies for congestion, sore throat, and shingles.

Pears

Many people may have doubt about the usage of pear as one of the best home remedies for diverticulitis. In fact, this amazing fruit is not only delicious, good for your health but it is one of the most useful home remedies for diverticulitis. This is thanks to its components that can soothe the digestive. In addition, pears also can reduce the inflammation [7].

Pears

To apply the method with pear, you just need to choose and buy some fresh pears and keep them in your refrigerator. Take one pear and remove its skin. Cut it into some small pieces. Eat from 2 to 3 rare pieces each time.

Alternatively, you can make fresh pear juice by grinding them well and pour in a glass. Take a glass of fluid every day to see the improvement.

Read more Home Remedies for Hemorrhoids.

Potatoes

Potatoes

Potatoes are very common in cooking. It can be processed in many ways ranging from baking, boiling to broiling. It is so amazing that this kind of food can also be one of the best home remedies for diverticulitis.

To apply potatoes, you need to add them to your regular diet. However, it should be noted that fried potatoes is not recommended. Despite the fact that fried potatoes are the favorite food of many people, but it can be very harmful to your health.

Papaya

Papaya contains papain – one kind of natural digestive aid. This substance is very helpful in improving the digestion process and cleaning the digestive tract of blockages [8]In other words, papaya is one of the most significant home remedies for diverticulitis you need to know.

Papaya

Choose a fresh papaya; remove its skin and seeds as well. Then cut the papaya into several small pieces. Eat 2-3 raw pieces of papaya daily. Alternatively, make a papaya juice by grinding its pieces. Every day, take a glass of the juice to see the improvement in your body.

Read more Home Remedies For Indigestion.

Heating Pad

Diverticulitis will cause some pain that can make you sick and discomfort. Therefore, how to deal with the pain is essential important during the time of curing diverticulitis.

One of simple way to get relief from the pain is to use a heating pad or hot compress. All you need to do is to dip a cotton towel into hot water and remove the excess water. Put it over your abdomen and try to relax your body. The pain will gradually reduce and disappear.

Relaxation Techniques

Besides the method of applying heating pad to your abdomen, some relaxation techniques are very necessary.

Relaxation techniques include: slow and deep breathing in a quiet room, a deep sleeping, and a suitable rest. These techniques can reduce the pain as well. It can keep both your mind and body fit so that you can quickly discovery from the disease.

Change The Eating Habits

It is better to have some small meals rather than have 2-3 big meals during a day. Having at least 6 smaller meals a day is highly recommended. The effect of having several small meals is promoting the digestive tract works.

If too much food is supplemented into body, the bowel will be hard to digest all of them, which leads to more pressure inside colon. This may cause pain and diverticulitis.

Smaller meals will reduce these risks and provide reliefs from the pain, inflammation and discomfort.

Liquid Diet

Liquid Diet

It is essential to apply liquid diet every day as they are essential home remedies for diverticulitis. It is because it can help heal the digestive tract and support the movement of waste material inside the colon.

To make your body liquid, supplement more water daily. Drink more water is the first choice. Let it become your habit as water is perfect for your health. Other options, you can take fruit juices, carbonated beverages, ice pops, broth, etc.

A liquid diet is recommended to apply during the time of treating diverticulitis and at least a few weeks later.

Fiber Food

Fiber food is also necessary for the process of healing digestive tract. In fact, they are the best home remedies for diverticulitis. However, it should be applied to your daily diet slowly, after the time of having a liquid diet [9].

Start to add some fiber foods such as boiled vegetables, eggs and yogurt. They are perfect for the digestive system. The fiber contents support the healing process. Also, it also makes sure that your digestive system can work to digest the solids that you supplemented.

The level of fiber can gradually increase to support quickly healing and avoid recurrences.

Healthy Bowel Habits

Have meals at fixed times should be practiced along with lots of fluids intakes to have a healthy bowel habit.

Also, avoid controlling bowel movements. It is very harmful to your health. Thus controlling bowel movements can be one of the main reasons that cause diverticulitis. It is because waste materials will be blocked inside the colon and create pressure inside the large intestine. Remember to make a habit of using the toilet at least once a day as well as whenever you need.

Avoid Using Laxatives

You should avoid using laxatives to improve your bowel movements because it is harmful to your body. Side effects of laxatives such as flatulence, abdominal gas, bloating and abdominal cramps will create more pressure to the colon and lead to diverticulitis.

If laxatives are really necessary in some cases, try to use natural laxatives to reduce the risk of having hard stools. Overall, laxatives are not one of the recommended home remedies for diverticulitis.

Regular Exercises

Exercise

Every day, at least 30 minutes for doing exercises is essential for good health. They can keep fit both inside and outside your body.

Regular exercises are also helpful in reducing the risk of diverticulitis. They will support the bowel movement and reduce the pressure inside the digestive tract.

Adequate Rest

In addition to natural home remedies for diverticulitis, you need to take adequate rest to reduce the level of pain caused by diverticulitis. It can also refresh your mind and support your body to recovery after a hard working or studying day.

A suitable time of rest can promote the healing process and prevent the situation of diverticulitis from worsening. You will get relief soon if you try to keep your body in rest whenever it requires.

Glucomannan

Glucomannan – a kind of soluble fiber – can be one of the most useful home remedies for diverticulitis. It is better to be combined with rifaximin – a poorly absorbed antibiotic [10][11].

Glucomannan is available in the root of konjac, a kind of plant that often grows in Asia. It exists in the form of a soluble, bulk fiber. Take an enough amount of the combination to get relief from diverticulitis soon.

Psyllium

Psyllium

Psyllium is a natural source of mucilage. Its initial usage is to contract the colon walls. In some cases, Psyllium can be used to cure diverticulitis as well.

Psyllium can exist in the form of power, capsule or water, so it will be very optional in choosing the way to take them.

Although both glucomannan and psyllium can be used for the treating diverticulitis, please notice you should check to make sure that your body could take response to these kinds of treatments.

Acupuncture

For ages, people have counted on acupuncture to get rid of pain. It is a special technique that allows you to alleviate some pressure points. In fact, you can consider acupuncture as one of the best home remedies for diverticulitis. However, this treatment requires the help of a professional expert.

Acupuncture does not help you get rid of the infection. Yet, it can relieve your discomforts and more importantly, help you avoid the pain in your digestive tract.

Hydrotherapy

Hydrotherapy is one of the most significant home remedies for diverticulitis. It refers to the use of water to address all of your discomfort. You can apply various ways of hydrotherapy at home to treat this problem.

For example, you can prepare a warm bath and then, mix some epsom salts. Besides, hot water is also handy to help you loosen up your muscles. As a result, it will help relieve the pain.

Chamomile Tea

Herbs are perfect home remedies for diverticulitis. And one of the best herbs you can make use of is chamomile. It is easy to find chamomile, whether fresh dried leaves or its powder. Chamomile has fantastic effects on treating pain and discomforts which come from diverticulitis. Besides, it is also useful to prevent and reduce inflammation.

Thus, you should consume its tea on a daily basis to see improvements in your digestive system. It also helps you digest food better after meals.

When to See A Doctor

Diverticulitis does not appear on its own, and you need to adjust your diet to fix your problem. However, when our home remedies for diverticulitis do not work for you, it is imperative that you seek medical attention.

Besides, if you have these signs, you need to consult your doctor immediately. They might indicate that your problem is getting worse.

  • Fever or chills for a long time
  • Blood in your stool
  • Rectal bleeding
  • Dizziness or weakness
  • Severe pain in your abdomen

Complications of Diverticulitis

Diverticulitis is dangerous if you do not take proper treatments. Here are some possible complications that you had better watch out. Otherwise, they might have catastrophic consequences on your well-being. After reading these complications, you might want to get home remedies for diverticulitis immediately!

Abscess formation

When you fail to use antibiotic treatment, the possibility is that your infection develops into an abscess. The signs of this problem include high fever, severe pain, as well as some white blood cells. To address an abscess, you might need a catheter which would be inserted to drain the abscess.

Peritonitis

When you decide to ignore an abscess and fail to treat it, the next complication that you might experience is peritonitis. It happens as your abscess develops and goes into your large intestine’s lower part.

Common signs of peritonitis are high fever, abdominal pain, vomiting, and illness. In this stage, it is essential to use vigorous antibiotics or surgery, which helps to eliminate the infected part. It is quite dangerous, so you had better avoid it at all costs.

Fistula formation

In severe circumstances, diverticulitis might not spread to your colon. Instead, it affects some adjacent areas, including your skin or bladder. Many signs are the same as peritonitis. However, fistula formation is more difficult to figure out on your own. You need a doctor to identify and address the problem. Surgery is usually necessary.

Stricture formation

Even though it is extremely rare, you also need to be concerned about stricture formation. It occurs when you do nothing with your infection. The scar tissues might appear and make a part of your colon narrow, which bans your waste from passing. It is essential to use surgery to tackle this problem.

How to Prevent Diverticulitis

Diverticulitis affects about 10 percent of over-45-year-old adults. Based on this rate, you can see how common it is, and our article has already shown you how dangerous this problem can be.

Thus, it is vital to prevent diverticulitis if you are lucky not to experience it yet. It can allow you to stay away from all discomfort of diverticulitis, such as nausea, pain, or fever.

Let’s check top crucial tips on how to prevent diverticulitis so that you might never need to know top natural home remedies for diverticulitis.

More fiber

In addition to being one of the best home remedies for diverticulitis, fiber plays a crucial role in the prevention of diverticulitis. The recommended amount is about 25-35 grams on a daily basis. You can get fiber, which helps to pass your stool more easily, from many natural foods, such as pears, spinach, squash, brown rice, oatmeal, apples, or black beans.

Besides, you will lower the risk of constipation. Your bowel movements are likely to happen easily and frequently, which clears your colon as well as reduce inflammation.

You might want to know some sources of insoluble fiber which is associated with a lower chance of diverticulitis. Apples, prunes, or berries are the best examples of insoluble fiber.

Be hydrated

Water is one of the indispensable parts in the prevention of any health problems. Though, you have to calculate the amount of water your body needs, especially when you do exercise regularly. If your body does not get enough water, constipation might happen, which is responsible for diverticulitis.

Do exercise

Exercise has positive impacts on bowel movements, which reduces the risk of diverticulitis. We have already mentioned exercise as one of the most essential home remedies for diverticulitis.

You can start with some simple exercise, such as jogging, cycling, or walking. It is necessary to maintain this habit on a weekly basis.

Furthermore, obesity is one of the possible catalysts of diverticulitis. When you do exercise, you are likely to lose weight.

On the other hand, people with chronic constipation can benefit from just 10 minutes of walking every day.

Stop smoking

Smokers have a very high chance of getting diverticulitis. If you continue smoking when you have the problem, it will spread and worsen over time. Thus, it is high time you stopping smoking for the sake of your health. You can contact your doctor for more information regarding quitting smoking.

Reduce fat intake

When your diet contains a large amount of fat, especially from red meat, the development of diverticulitis is higher. Therefore, you should reduce the intake of fat for the prevention of diverticulitis.

Even though experts do not give an exact number for your consumption, you should use red meat only once on a weekly basis. You can find other alternative sources of proteins, including beans, fish, or soy products.

Avoid straining your bowel movements

Constipation might make you super uncomfortable, and you might need to strain if you want your stool to pass. As a consequence, feces become trapped in your pouches, which leads to diverticulitis.

If you suffer from constipation, you should find some positive ways to get rid of it, instead of forcing your bowel movements.

Conclusion

In general, diverticulitis is very common among us. The treatment of diverticulitis starts with our natural home remedies for diverticulitis, most of which are available in your house. Nevertheless, you need to think about long-term effects by making significant changes in your diet so that diverticulitis never bothers you again.

Let’s SHARE the article to show people essential ways to protect their digestive system and avoid one of the most popular problems among the population!



This post first appeared on Home Remedies For You, please read the originial post: here

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Home Remedies for Diverticulitis – What Happens to Your Colon If You Leave Untreated?

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