9 家庭療法と自然療法

憩室疾患は、前世紀にわたって症例数が大幅に増加しています。最近の研究では、60 歳以上の人の 50% が憩室疾患に罹患しており、10% ～ 25% が憩室炎を発症していることが示されています (1)。憩室炎は、極度の不快感を伴う結腸の感染性袋の形成により発症し、直ちに医療介入が必要です。この記事では、憩室炎とは何か、利用可能な治療法について見ていきます。

憩室炎とは？

憩室炎は、消化管に沿って発生する袋状の形成物である憩室の形成に関連しています。憩室は、ほとんどの場合、結腸、すなわち大腸で発生します。

これらのポーチは、外側に吹き出す傾向がある腸壁の弱いスポットの結果です. 袋（憩室）が炎症を起こしたり、細菌に感染したりして、憩室炎を引き起こすことがあります。

憩室は、炎症や感染がない限り無害です。感染または炎症を起こしていない憩室が発生した場合、その状態は憩室症として知られています。

憩室炎と憩室症の主な違いを簡単に見てみましょう。

憩室炎対。憩室症

憩室炎

• これは、憩室と呼ばれる袋の形成に関連しており、炎症や感染を引き起こします。
• 再発の可能性があります。
• 憩室炎は、一部の人では慢性化することもあります。
• 憩室炎を発症するリスクは年齢とともに増加します。

憩室症

• 憩室症は、感染したり炎症を起こしたりしていない、憩室と呼ばれる袋の形成に関連しています。
• それは通常、症状を示さず、状態が実際に症状を引き起こす場合、それは症候性単純憩室疾患 (SUDD) と呼ばれます。
• まれに、憩室症が憩室炎の発症につながることがあります。
• 憩室炎の場合と同様に、憩室症を発症するリスクは年齢とともに増加します。

憩室症とは異なり、憩室炎は軽度から重度の症状を引き起こす可能性があり、突然または数日かけて徐々に発生する可能性があります.

兆候と症状

憩室炎に関連する一般的な兆候と症状は次のとおりです。

• 典型的には左下側に発生する腹痛
• 吐き気
• 嘔吐
• 熱
• 頻尿
• 下痢
• 便秘
• 便に血が混じる

Diverticulitis is caused by a combination of factors that are discussed below.

Causes And Risk Factors

The root cause of diverticulitis is the blockage of the opening diverticula. This blockage is usually triggered by the accumulation of fecal matter that leads to inflammation and subsequent infections.

Other factors associated with an increased risk of diverticulitis are:

• A diet low in fiber
• Heredity: A family history of the condition
• A sedentary lifestyle
• Obesity
• Smoking
• Regular use of certain nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications like aspirin
• A deficiency in vitamin D
• Sex: In those aged 50 or younger, diverticulitis is more common in men, whereas, in those aged above 50, it is more common in women.
• Advancing age

Since the symptoms of diverticulitis are similar to those of many other health conditions, your doctor may need to carry out one or more of the following tests to diagnose your condition.

How Is Diverticulitis Diagnosed?

You may be asked about your symptoms, medical history, and the medications you are on. Other diagnostic tests may include:

• A physical exam to check the abdomen for tenderness
• A digital rectal exam to look for symptoms of pain, bleeding, masses, or other problems

Other diagnostic tests that may need to be carried out include:

• Blood tests to look for inflammation, anemiaⁱ  XA medical condition characterized by a lack of sufficient healthy red blood cells in the body. , or other medical conditions like kidney or liver problems
• Imaging tests like an abdominal ultrasound or CT scan
• Urine test to look for different types of infections
• Stool test to check GI infectionsⁱ  XBacterial, viral, or parasitic infections that cause inflammation in the intestines or the stomach.
• Pelvic examination to rule out gynecological problems
• Women may have to take a pregnancy test to rule out pregnancy

Once your condition is diagnosed, your doctor may prescribe treatments depending on the severity of the symptoms.

Treatments For Diverticulitis

The treatment options for diverticulitis may include:

• A clear liquid diet
• A low-fiber diet
• Medications for diverticulitis including antibiotics like Metronidazole, Ciprofloxacin, or Amoxicillin
• Follow-up medical appointment to check if your symptoms have improved
• Surgery for severe cases of diverticulitis

The symptoms of diverticulitis can usually be managed right at home in the initial stages. However, in rare cases, it can lead to complications, and those suffering from acute cases may need to be admitted in a hospital for treatment.

The home remedies that can help in managing the symptoms of diverticulitis are listed below.

How To Manage The Symptoms Of Diverticulitis Naturally

1. Slippery Elm
2. Aloe Vera Juice
3. Vitamin D
4. Licorice Root
5. Grapefruit Seed Extract
6. Ginger
7. Garlic
8. Turmeric
9. Apple Cider Vinegar

Home Remedies To Ease The Pain Of Diverticulitis

1. Slippery Elm

You Will Need

• 2 teaspoons of slippery elm
• 1 glass of water, fruit juice, or tea

What You Have To Do

1. Add one to two teaspoons of slippery elm to a glass of water, fruit juice, or tea.
2. Mix well and drink up.

How Often You Should Do This

You can drink this mixture 1 to 2 times per day.

Why This Works

Slippery elm has demulcent properties that can help in relieving inflammation of the diverticula in your intestine (2).

Caution

Take your doctor’s advice before consuming this.

2. Aloe Vera Juice

You Will Need

1-2 tablespoons of fresh aloe vera juice

What You Have To Do

Drink one to two tablespoons of fresh aloe vera juice daily.

How Often You Should Do This

Make sure you drink it only once daily.

Why This Works

Aloe vera is used to treat various health conditions due to its healing and anti-inflammatory properties (3). These properties can help in soothing the inflamed and irritated diverticula along the digestive tract.

3. Vitamin D

You Will Need

25-100 mcg of vitamin D

What You Have To Do

1. Consume 25-100 mcg of vitamin D daily.
2. You can either consume foods rich in vitamin D, like fatty fish, cheese, and eggs, or take additional supplements for it.

How Often You Should Do This

You can do this on a daily basis.

Why This Works

Vitamin D deficiency is associated with an increased risk of developing diverticulitis. Hence, maintaining optimal levels of serum vitamin D can also help you deal with the condition (4).

4. Licorice Root

You Will Need

• 1-2 teaspoons of dried licorice root
• 1 cup of hot water

What You Have To Do

1. Add one to two teaspoons of dried licorice to a cup of hot water.
2. Steep for 5-10 minutes and strain.
3. Drink the warm licorice tea.

How Often You Should Do This

You can drink licorice tea 1 to 2 times daily.

Why This Works

Licorice is widely used to treat spasms and inflammation, especially those of the gastrointestinal tractⁱ  XThe digestive passage leading from the mouth to the anus, containing all major organs of the digestive system. (5). Hence, it can definitely work wonders when it comes to soothing the inflamed diverticula.

You Will Need

• 8-12 drops of standardized and chemical-free grapefruit seed extract
• 1 glass of water

What You Have To Do

1. Add 8-12 drops of standardized and chemical-free grapefruit seed extract to a glass of water.
2. Mix well and drink it up.

How Often You Should Do This

You may drink this mixture once daily.

Why This Works

Grapefruit seed extract is a powerful antibacterial agent that can help in treating infected diverticula (6).

6. Ginger

You Will Need

• 1-2 inches of sliced ginger root
• 1 cup of water

What You Have To Do

1. Add 1-2 inches of sliced ginger to a cup of water.
2. Bring it to a boil in a saucepan and simmer for 5 minutes.
3. Strain and wait for the tea to cool a bit.
4. Drink the warm ginger tea.

How Often You Should Do This

You can drink ginger tea 1-2 times daily.

Why This Works

The rich composition of ginger makes it a beneficial remedy in treating various medical conditions. Its anti-inflammatory properties can soothe an inflamed digestive tract and relax the muscles of the gut (7).

7. Garlic

You Will Need

• 1 teaspoon of garlic juice
• Honey (optional)

What You Have To Do

1. Extract a teaspoon of juice from a few garlic cloves.
2. Consume the garlic extract.

How Often You Should Do This

You can do this once daily to combat diverticulitis.

Why This Works

Garlic possesses impressive anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties (8), (9). These activities might be helpful in treating diverticulitis and its symptoms.

8. Turmeric

You Will Need

• 1 teaspoon of turmeric powder
• 1 glass of hot milk

What You Have To Do

1. Add a teaspoon of turmeric powder to a glass of hot milk.
2. Mix well and drink it up.

How Often You Should Do This

Do this at least once daily.

Why This Works

Curcumin, the active compound of turmeric, possesses powerful anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties (11), (12). These can help in reducing the inflammation and infection associated with diverticulitis.

9. Apple Cider Vinegar

You Will Need

• 1-2 teaspoons of raw apple cider vinegar
• 1 glass of warm water

What You Have To Do

1. Add one to two teaspoons of raw apple cider vinegar to a glass of warm water.
2. Mix well and drink the mixture.

How Often You Should Do This

You can drink this concoction 1 to 2 times daily.

Why This Works

ACV has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties that can be helpful in the treatment of diverticulitis (13).

These remedies will help in managing the symptoms of diverticulitis and lessen the pain. You must also pay attention to your diet as it has a major role to play in your recovery from diverticulitis.

How Does Your Diet Affect Diverticulitis?

A diverticulitis diet is usually a temporary measure that gives your digestive system some rest. Oral intake of eatables is usually reduced until the symptoms of bleeding and diarrhea subside.

Your doctor might prescribe you a clear liquid diet that includes the following.

Foods To Eat

• Fruit juices without pulp
• Broths and soups
• Ice chips
• Ice popsicles without fruit pulps
• Water
• Gelatin
• Tea
• Coffee without cream

Once your symptoms start improving, your doctor may ask you to begin intake of low-fiber foods gradually

They include:

• Peeled fruits without seeds that are cooked or canned
• Canned or cooked peeled vegetables such as carrots, potatoes, and beans
• Poultry
• Fish
• Eggs
• Fruit and vegetable juices (without pulp)
• Low fiber cereals
• Dairy products like milk, cheese, and yogurt
• White rice, pasta, and noodles

You also need to restrict your intake of certain foods if you are suffering from diverticulitis. These are foods that are difficult to digest.

Foods To Avoid

By now, you must have understood that one of the best ways to prevent diverticulitis from worsening is to modify your diet and lifestyle. Listed below are a few additional tips that can prevent the recurrence of diverticulitis.

Prevention Tips

• Increase your intake of fiber-rich foods gradually once your symptoms begin improving.
• Drink a lot of fluids.
• Avoid consuming refined foods like white rice, white pasta, etc.
• Avoid getting constipated. Using over-the-counter laxativesⁱ  XDrugs or medicines that help loosen up stool and relieve constipation. or stool softeners may help.
• Exercise regularly.
• Quit smoking.
• Manage your weight.

Frequently Asked Questions

When to see a doctor for diverticulitis?

If you feel that you are exhibiting any of the symptoms associated with diverticulitis, see a doctor and avail medical treatment immediately.

What does the pain that surfaces diverticulitis feel like?

The symptoms of diverticulitis can last anywhere from a few hours to days. Its most prominent symptom is severe pain (cramp) that is often felt on the lower left side of the abdomen.

How long does diverticulitis pain last?

The symptoms of diverticulitis, such as pain and cramps that occur in the lower left quadrant of the abdomen, can last for hours or even days.

Does diverticulitis cause diarrhea?

The inflammation of the diverticula that forms along the digestive tract can cause many symptoms and hardly subsides completely. This inflammation can cause constipation, diarrhea, bloating, abdominal pain, and bloating.

Are bananas good for diverticulitis?

Possibly. Bananas are rich in fiber and potassium that are thought to aid in recovery. However, more information is needed in this regard.

Does drinking water help diverticulitis?

はい、飲料水は憩室炎に役立ち、便秘も防ぎます。

憩室炎を放っておくとどうなりますか？

憩室炎を治療せずに放置すると、結腸壁の外側に激しい痛みや膿の蓄積（膿瘍とも呼ばれます）が生じることがあります。腹腔の内膜に全身感染を引き起こすことさえあります。

憩室炎はストレスによって引き起こされる可能性がありますか?

はい、環境ストレスが憩室炎の発症に関与しています。低繊維食や高脂肪食による消化器系へのストレスでさえ、憩室炎を引き起こす可能性があります.

憩室炎に最適なお茶は何ですか？

緑茶は、炎症を軽減し、関連する感染を遅らせる可能性のある抗炎症、抗菌、および抗ウイルス特性を持っているため、憩室炎に最適です.