What Is Diverticulitis and How Do You Treat It
Due to the poor diet filled with processed foods and a considerable lack of fiber, more and more people tend to experience problems and discomfort when it comes to their gut health. One such issue is known as diverticulitis and is characterized by the intestinal inflammation that manifests itself as bulging pouches. These inflammatory pouches are caused by the stool remnants that can’t get discharged properly due to constipation. Other symptoms include fever, chills, nausea, gas, swelling, vomiting, and abdominal pain. If you see a problem or discomfort in terms of your gut then click best supplements for leaky gut.
What Causes Diverticulitis?
Many people these days lead busy lives which forces them to have less than favorable diet routines. However, not everyone develops diverticulitis or suffers from other gut issues. There are other factors that affect the development of this particular condition aside from the diet. For instance, age and genetics play a crucial role in this case.
What’s more, constipation as an issue of its own can also be the main culprit in triggering diverticulitis. If the person experiences constant strain with their bowel movements, the risk of developing an infection in the intestinal inner lining is much higher. The local pressure involved in the strenuous bowel movement can then lead to the mentioned pouches at the weak spots of the colon wall. The waste and food that get caught up in these pouches present an ideal environment for inflammation and bacterial infection.
The surest way to diagnose diverticulitis is via colonoscopy and/or CT scan.
How to Treat Diverticulitis?
Unfortunately, once the bulging pouches in one’s intestinal lining form, they can only be surgically removed. The side-effects of this process can be rather serious, which is precisely why surgical removal is rarely done, unless the condition is very severe.
The best chance of recovery when diverticulitis is concerned is a huge shift in one’s diet. That said, the doctor is most likely to recommend this particular change first, advising a fiber-rich diet and plenty of liquids. This will gradually allow the bowels to move properly in order to get rid of the waste. Together with a change of diet, it might be necessary to take antibiotics to manage the inflammation.
No doctor will suggest the patient jump straight into consuming high-fiber foods while the diverticulitis flare-up is still active. Before they take up an appropriate diet, patients have to go through a thorough cleanse from the inside in order to calm the flare-up and inflammation. In that respect, the beginning of this diet involves liquids only such as broth, soup, fruit juices, plenty of water, and sometimes even ice pops.
Only once the diverticulitis flare-up subsides, can the patient proceed to enrich their diet with foods that are rich in fibers so you can buy brown beans, whole grains, vegetables, and fruit. Fiber supplements might also be recommended, together with laxative aid to help loosen the stool.
Taking laxatives to loosen the stool is a rather helpful solution when it comes to the diverticulitis relief. However, getting over-the-counter laxatives may result in unwanted side-effects. This is precisely why many people dealing with gut issues today opt for more natural solutions, such as Aloe Vera for instance.
How Can Aloe Vera Help?
These days, it’s possible to get Aloe Vera supplements to improve one’s health and strengthen the immune system. However, the most important ingredient of these supplements is the so-called AMP molecule (Aloe Mucilaginous Polysaccharide). It would be best to look for Aloe supplements that contain this molecule in order to maximize the health benefits of the plant.
Among many other things, using Aloe Vera for diverticulitis can show promising results, especially considering that the mentioned AMP molecule has strong anti-inflammatory and prebiotic properties.
Healthy gut flora is rich in microorganisms known as probiotics. These probiotics maintain a regular bowel movement. When there’s an issue with one’s gut, the natural production of these probiotics needs a boost. This boost can be achieved by consuming prebiotic foods such as yogurt, fruits, veggies, and cereal. As a powerful prebiotic, Aloe Vera can make a significant difference, too. The plant contains a bioactive latex compound known as Aloin which facilitates bowel movement and maintains a thriving gut flora.
Furthermore, Aloe Vera has strong anti-inflammatory properties, which, together with the laxative ability, can help patients deal with the diverticulitis successfully. The plant is rich in the compound called Bradykinase, which has the ability to break down another compound called Bradykinin, which is the mediator responsible for inflammation and pain.
Just like with any other supplement, patients have to consult with their doctor before taking Aloe Vera. Depending on the severity of their diverticulitis condition, laxatives may not be the ideal solution for their particular case. Therefore, never add new supplements to your routine before you get a green light from a medical professional. Obviously, people who are allergic to the Aloe Vera plant shouldn’t be consuming it.
Prevent Diverticulitis with a Healthy Lifestyle
In case you already suffer from gut discomfort and frequent constipation, but you haven’t developed more serious conditions such as diverticulitis, it’s crucial to make some healthy changes to your lifestyle in order to avoid bigger problems like these.
That said, switching up to a fiber-rich diet immediately is bound to show positive results soon enough. It’s normal to notice bloating and gas initially, especially if you haven’t been eating much fiber before. This is why it’s also crucial to up your intake of water (at least 8 glasses of water per day). If possible, try to completely avoid, or at least cut back the consumption of refined and processed foods. Great help for your overall health, including the gut, would be to take up exercising. Physical activity maintains the intestinal muscle tone and allows for a smooth and regular bowel movement.
In case you notice any problems or discomfort in regard to your gut and bowels, make sure to book a doctor’s appointment as soon as possible. This also goes for unusual reactions to supplements and antibiotics. Ultimately, gut health affects the entire immune system and lifestyle, making it paramount to take good care of it.
Author Bio:
Taylor Parker is an American based writer and blogger. She is very passionate about family, fashion, health and lifestyle. Taylor writes mostly lifestyle articles, but also you’ll find her in home improvement and other niches.