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The Doctors Book of Home Remedies II: Diverticulosis

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Diverticulosis

It's okay to act refined at the dinner table, but when you eat that way, don't expect your colon to always keep its good manners.

Living off refined or overly processed foods and other low-fiber fare puts so much pressure on colon walls (as you try to pass hard, dry stools) that they may develop tiny pouches called diverticula. This results in gas, cramping, severe indigestion and even diarrhea or constipation as these pouches become inflamed.

In a worst-case scenario, feces can get stuck in the pouches, causing internal bleeding and serious infection. This condition, called diverticulitis, occurs in only about 5 percent of cases and usually requires surgery. But there's a minor form of this problem called diverticulosis that's far more common than the version requiring surgery. Many people have learned after seeing their doctor that they can treat diverticulosis themselves. And here's how.

Feast on fiber. "A high-fiber diet is the answer for treating diverticulosis," says gastroenterologist Alex Aslan, M.D., a staff physician at North Bay Medical Center in Fairfield, California. "That helps normalize the stool and reduce the pressure on your colon that's causing the problem in the first place."

To get more fiber, limit consumption of processed foods. Instead, always try to eat more whole-grain breads, grains and cereals, beans, fruits and vegetables.

You can also benefit from taking a psyllium product such as Metamucil each day. Psyllium is a natural high-fiber ingredient that can help speed movement in the intestines. just follow the directions on the package.

Be sure to increase your fiber intake slowly, says Stephen B. Hanauer, M.D., professor of medicine in the Section of Gastroenterology at the University of Chicago Medical Center. And don't give up if you develop some gas symptoms-that's a normal introduction to a high-fiber diet.

When to See the Doctor

More than half of all people over age 60 have diverticulosis, and most in this age group never need serious medical attention, according to doctors. However, you may be developing the more serious (and potentially life-threatening) diverticulitis if you notice fever and severe pain in the lower left portion of your abdominal region.

This might indicate a mild infection that can be handled with antibiotics and rest or a more serious problem or internal bleeding that may require surgery. Either way, only your doctor can tell.

Wet your whistle. While most doctors recommend that everyone should drink no less than six glasses of water a day, it's especially important if you have diverticulosis. Liquids are an important partner to fiber in softening stools and combating constipation, which is associated with diverticulosis, says Samuel Klein, M.D., associate professor of medicine in the Division of Gastroenterology and in the Division of Human Nutrition at the University of Texas Medical School at Galveston.

Don't smoke. "Besides being the single worst thing you can do to your overall health, smoking is terrible for your intestines," says Dr. Hanauer "What smoking does is increase motility in your intestines, but the nicotine decreases the blood supply. This causes or increases your cramps."

Coffee, no; alcohol, yes, but ... You should also limit or avoid coffee, since caffeine can cause diarrhea, while chemicals in coffee beans may cause cramping, adds Dr. Aslan. But alcohol in small quantities--no more than two drinks daily--may actually help by relaxing colon spasms, says Marvin M. Schuster, M.D., chief of the Department of Digestive Diseases at Francis Scott Key Medical Center in Baltimore.

Hit the road. "Running stimulates bowel activity and is very useful to anyone who is irregular," says Dr. Hanauer. Other forms of aerobic activity such as swimming, cycling and fast walking also help by improving blood flow through the colon.

Avoid seeds. Foods such as nuts and popcorn contain seeds or other hard particles that could become lodged in the diverticula and cause inflammation, Dr. Klein says. In fact, some experts recommend that you avoid any small, hard particle that can become lodged in the pouches, including poppy and sesame seeds.

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