Don't turn Diverticulosis into Diverticulitis

It is that dreaded colonoscopy.  You aren't worried about cancer and you have heard such horror stories.  Yes pre - exam the prep is literally a pain in the butt, but the exam itself is under anesthesia and you have no pain. 

Look at the example of a person at 50, first colonoscopy. No sign of cancer or polyps but there is indications of the early stages of diverticulosis which could easily turn into diverticulitis.

Instead of polyps, which stick out from the colon wall, diverticulosis is small pockets in weak points in the colon wall.

About half of all people over the age of 60 develop diverticulosis, but many people are unaware they have this condition because there are usually no symptoms until diverticulosis turns into diverticulitis (also known as diverticular disease).

The rise of diverticulitis cases closely parallels the rise in consumption of processed foods that are stripped of natural fiber. This may be a coincidence, but researchers have also found that diverticulitis is most common in industrialized countries where processed foods make up a large part of the diet.

When fiber intake is reduced, the bowels have to work harder to keep food moving. This puts excess pressure on the colon. Eventually, weak spots on the colon wall develop into diverticulosis pockets.

If a food particle gets lodged in one of these pockets, infection and inflammation may prompt fever, abdominal pain and cramping, as well as constipation or diarrhea. In severe cases bleeding may occur.

This results in a liquid diet and a round of antibiotics. Surgery can become necessary if the condition becomes chronic.

But many doctors overlook the effectiveness of dietary detoxification procedures that focus on cleansing the colon. In some patients, a proper detox can successfully address diverticulitis without antibiotics or surgery.

Not all fiber is equal.

Prevention of diverticulitis is fairly simple: Add more fiber to the diet. Focus on fruits, vegetables and grains. That's what most doctors tell their patients and leave it at that. The problem is that some high-fiber foods may actually make the problem worse.

In a report about diverticulitis on a local NBC affiliate in Baltimore, a gastroenterologist pointed out that seeds and nuts might trigger diverticulitis.

The seeds in blackberries and strawberries or tomatoes and cucumbers, for instance, can easily cause problems. Generally, you want to avoid these fruits and vegetables if you have been diagnosed with diverticulosis or diverticulitis.

Whole grain products can cause problems too. UK nutritionist David Crawford warns that wheat and rye (along with dairy products) prompt mucous development in the digestive tract. Pressure on the colon wall increases when mucous builds up and solidifies.

And there's one more problem with wheat products. Many people are sensitive to the gluten in wheat and don't even know it. They react to the consumption of pasta, bread and cereal with symptoms that may include anemia, fatigue, sinusitis, insomnia, autoimmune problems and digestive disorders such as diarrhea, constipation and...diverticulitis. See Celiac for more information.


If you're interested in treating diverticulitis with a colon cleansing detox, talk to a healthcare practitioner who's knowledgeable about natural detox methods and is also aware of the specifics of your condition.