Four herbal remedies and dietary tips for managing diverticulosis naturally
Diverticular disease, which includes diverticulosis and diverticulitis, affects many people as they age. Understanding these conditions and exploring natural remedies can be a helpful addition to your wellness journey. Today, I’ll delve into both diverticulosis and diverticulitis, explore potential herbal remedies and provide you with some dietary tips that help your digestive health.
Diverticulosis is a common condition, especially among seniors, and it’s characterized by the presence of small pouches, or diverticula, in the colon's wall.
Having a pouch doesn’t guarantee a problem or any sort of inflammation. Diverticulitis occurs when one of these pouches becomes inflamed or infected, usually because it fills up with some fecal material or food particles. It’s the “itis” that’s problematic.
This is when the problem begins, and it leads to symptoms such as abdominal pain, fever and changes in bowel habits. Managing diverticulosis (the condition) is essential to reduce the risk of diverticulitis. So, what can you do to minimize your risk? I have some ideas.
Peppermint: Peppermint supplements or tea can help soothe digestive discomfort in pretty much anyone, but this remedy should be avoided if you have acid reflux or heartburn. The reason is that it will relax the lower esophageal sphincter, potentially exacerbating acid problems in people with gastritis or GERD. The good news is that it helps people with diverticular problems.
Chamomile ginger tea: If you can’t handle peppermint, try this tea with chamomile and ginger. During flare-ups, these herbs can help to reduce inflammation and pain in the abdomen. You can buy them as supplements.
Aloe vera gel: It has a soothing quality in the digestive tract, and reduces inflammation.
Probiotics: This provides friendly bacteria for the gut, which improves the balance of pathogens and reduces infection.
As far as diet goes, there are many things to consider. In people with diverticulitis flare-ups, fiber is your friend. It’s No. 1 on the list to help reduce constipation and maintain regularity. In doing so, it reduces the risk of food and/or stool getting stuck in the pouch. With that said, any medication that causes constipation can increase your risk of an attack. Off the top of my head, I’d say antihistamines, opioid analgesics and steroids are common offenders. Also, iron and calcium supplements can cause constipation.
Drinking water is important because it softens stools, and helps it go through “the tube” and get out. Some people say to avoid steak, but I feel it’s OK to include in your diet; make sure it’s lean and that your personal doctor doesn’t mind.
I feel that, if you have the right information and some natural herbal options to try, you can embark on a journey that reduces pain and infection while improving your digestion. Making informed decisions about what you eat, which teas you drink and so forth will hopefully reduce the number of times you have an episode.
There is a longer version of this article; it’s posted at my website, suzycohen.com.
This article originally appeared on The Gainesville Sun: Herbal remedies and dietary tips for managing diverticulosis naturally
