You’ve been experiencing some complications for some time now. Recently, a colonoscopy has revealed that these complications are due to diverticulitis.
Your physician has said that the conventional treatment for this condition is prescription antibiotics. However, you really don’t want to go that route if at all possible. You’re more interested in a natural approach.
After all, there is some risk that goes along with antibiotic treatment and can be painful for the first few days. Typically, patients are prescribed narcotics to treat the pain- which are not good for your body either. So, what can you do?
You don’t want to ignore it because your symptoms will only worsen. In addition, your immune system will be weakened, and you could end up having to endure surgery in the future. This condition will simply not just vanish because you don’t deal with it.
Thankfully, there are some natural, affordable ways that you can treat this condition and avoid flare-ups in the future.
Change Your Diet
One of the first ways you can gain control of your digestive tract is to make some simple changes to your diet.
You can remove foods that irritate your gut and add foods that will soothe your gut.
First of all, let’s look at removing foods from your diet. Some common food allergens associated with this condition are nuts, seeds, soy, gluten, corn, and grains.
These are typically GMO (genetically modified) crops and disturb the bacterial balance in your gut, which ultimately leads to disturbances in your gastrointestinal tract and a weakened immune system.
Clinically, the symptoms of diverticulitis are similar to those if IBS, or irritable bowel syndrome.
Studies reveal that patients with either condition have decreased levels of good bacteria, increased inflammation, and an overall weakened immune system.
When they take the time to address food sensitivities through elimination of these allergens, their symptoms significantly improve.
Now that you have an idea of what types of foods you should eliminate and avoid flare-ups of diverticulitis, it’s time to take a look at some additions you can make to your diet that will soothe your gut.
According to the experts, this is one of the best lifestyle changes you can make to heal your diverticulitis. You’ll find that these foods are affordable, safe, and effective.
Bone Broth: sip bone broth throughout the day just like you would any other drinkor add to your favorite meals to give a healthy boost to your soups and stews.
It’s best to choose bone broth from 100% grass-fed meat, as it has the most benefits for your digestive tract. It is packed with nutrients such as calcium, potassium, and magnesium to encourage healthy functioning of your gut. In addition, it contains properties that inhibit bacterial inflammation and support healing of wounds.
Coconut Oil: this is a medium-chain triglyceride, which is broken down in your body into a compound known as monolaurin.
This helps reduce inflammation and inhibit build-up of pathogenic bacteria, as well as decrease occurrences of indigestion and constipation.
Apple Cider Vinegar: due to the high levels of acetic acid, apple cider vinegar has antimicrobial properties that decrease the overgrowth of bacteria and help remove waste from the body.
Related: It’s worthwhile reading up on malt vinegar, too.
The acetic acid improves the alkalinity of your digestive tract and provides immune support by regulating the factors that limit inflammation and oxidative stress.
Ginger: this is a therapeutic plant that has been used for thousands of years for its medicinal properties.
When you experience the nausea and indigestion that accompany a flare-up, ginger is a great treatment. When you use it on a regular basis, it has more than 100 chemical compounds that relax the smooth muscle of your gut and help cleanse your digestive tract.
Turmeric: one of the best ways to obtain relief from the symptoms of this condition and promote healing is to use anti-inflammatory agents such as turmeric.
It has been proven to heal inflammation and tissue damage within the digestive tract. When anti-inflammatory agents are used, individuals with this condition find complete remission of symptoms.
Fermented Foods/Drinks:fermented foods contain healthy bacteria and are good for your intestinal health. These are known as probiotics.
Make Changes in Your Lifestyle
In addition to making changes to your diet, you might want to make some changes to your lifestyle.
These changes are critical for preventing flare-ups in the future. Make sure that you put these into practice daily to make sure your bowels remain strong and healthy.
Decrease Stress
According to the experts, stress can contribute to diverticulitis flare-ups. Your vagus nerve, which is responsible for the secretion of hormones such as cortisol (stress) and histamine (inflammatory) into your gut.
By increasing your physical activity level, you alleviate physical and emotional stress because exercise decreases the circulation of cortisol, increases the flow of oxygen to the cells, and naturally detoxifies your body. Studies have revealed that exercise reduces pain and improves regularity.
Fiber Rich Diet
We’ve already mentioned some changes you can make to your diet to promote gut health- but it’s also necessary to consume foods that are rich in fiber.
These foods clean your digestive tract and promote regularity. Raw, fibrous foods including apples, carrots, and celery are hard for your body to digest, but do contain enzymes that help with digestion.
In addition, those who consume a more plant-based diet typically have lower amounts of toxic agents in their gut than those who eat mostly meat.
Hydration
Alcoholic and caffeinated beverages cause your colon to become dehydrated and alcohol increases the mucus in your colon, which contribute to infection. Therefore, you should drink mostly water.
Experts recommend at least one gallon of water per day to add bulk to your stool and hydrate your digestive tract. Since water and fiber work together to eliminate waste from your body, make sure you increase your intake of both.
Healthy Bathroom Habits
When you feel like you need to go to the bathroom, go. You should never hold it because that can result in toxins and bacteria to reabsorb back into your gut and body.
You should also avoid straining, as this puts pressure on your intestinal wall. Instead, you want to use the toilet in a squatting position, as this takes the tension off your intestines.
Conclusion
As you can see, there are lots of things you can do to relieve your symptoms of diverticulitis and even put yourself into remission. All it takes is a few simple lifestyle and diet changes, such as adding apple cider vinegar to your diet.
