On the Coast – Over 55 Issue 32 I November/December 2019(clone) | Page 22

Diverticular disease
natural treatment
BY DIANA ARUNDELL – NATUROPATHIC PRACTITIONER
D
iverticular disease is a common
gastrointestinal disease affecting
approximately one third of the
Australian population over the age of 45
years and two thirds of those in their 80s.
Diverticulosis is where small pockets
(5-10mm) form in the large bowel wall and
although some people have no symptoms,
others are significantly troubled by food
or faecal matter getting caught in the
pockets and creating inflammation which
is referred to as diverticulitis.
Diverticulitis most commonly occurs in
the descending part of the large intestine,
so an acute episode may feel like severe
abdominal cramping and pain in the
lower left abdominal area. These painful
episodes may be accompanied by nausea
and fever if infection is present. If
perforation of the bowel wall is a concern,
immediate medical attention is necessary.
People who have a low fibre diet
such as high meat intake and low fruit/
vegetable intake, who experience a
slower moving bowel or constipation
are more likely to develop diverticulitis.
People taking non-steroidal anti
inflammatory drugs (nurofen, voltaren,
naprogesic, celebrex) are also at greater
risk of developing diverticular disease
as these medications can increase
permeability of the gut lining. Other
things that may contribute to increased
risk of developing diverticular disease
include chronic low grade inflammation
in the bowel, dysbiosis (imbalance of
unhealthy gut bacteria) and reduced
intestinal wall strength. So on the
contrary, those who have a high
fibre diet eg. vegetarian diet,
a more consistently faster
moving bowel as well as
good gut flora and gut
wall integrity, are
less likely to develop
diverticulosis or at least,
have less inflammatory
occurrences and
complications.
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O N T H E C OA S T – OVER 5 5
A recent study by the American
gastroenterology association has
concluded that nuts and seeds prevent
the development of diverticulosis and
do not significantly increase incidence
of diverticulitis. They also concluded
that the other health benefits of eating
nuts and seeds such as reducing
cardiovascular disease and diabetes
mellitus should be considered to
outweigh smaller risks.
Diverticular disease can be diagnosed
during a colonoscopy which can ascertain
the number and size of diverticular
pockets or via a CT scan. Once it has been
established that diverticular pockets are
present, a medical practitioner can often
recognise the signs and symptoms of a
diverticulitis episode. If infection is
suspected, antibiotics may be prescribed
along side a simple, soothing eating
program for a couple of days. Some recent
studies are showing that in simple,
non-complicated diverticulitis, antibiotics
may not be required and the flare up can
be treated successfully with nutritional
and lifestyle advice.
As always, prevention is way easier
to treat than cure so a visit to a qualified
naturopath or nutritionist can lead to
better diet and lifestyle choices to
improve gastrointestinal heath
and reduce the incidence of
chronic disease.
Acute
treatment
of any condition should lead onto a
longer term treatment plan to prevent
recurrence and improve health and
wellness. A naturopathic approach to
treating diverticular disease will include
both acute and long term diet and
lifestyle advice.
In acute diverticulitis episodes easily
digestible, gut healing liquids are often
prescribed to reduce inflammation
and heal the gut lining. This may
include broths, and vegetable juices
including carrot and cabbage which are
high gut healing, anti
inflammatory compounds
such as vitamin A, beta
carotene, vitamin C and
antioxidants. Garlic is
also useful as an anti
microbial agent.
Herbal teas
containing
chamomile,
peppermint,
and fennel can also be soothing to
gastrointestinal irritation. Aloe vera and
slippery elm can also be taken to soothe
an inflamed gut. Other anti inflammatory
and antimicrobial herbs may also be
prescribed in an acute situation.
Improving overall gut
integrity and reducing