Diverticulitis

Overview

Diverticulitis is a disease of the large intestine that develops from diverticulosis—the formation of small pouches (diverticula) that protrude from the colon wall. When one or more diverticula become inflamed or infected, the condition is termed diverticulitis.

Symptoms

• Abdominal pain, commonly on the left lower side
• Tenderness in the affected area
• With infection: fever, nausea, vomiting, chills, cramping, and constipation

Ayurvedic Perspective

Low-fiber and high-fat dietary patterns can aggravate Vata and Pitta, impairing digestion and predisposing to constipation. Straining against hard stools raises intra-colonic pressure, encouraging weak spots in the bowel wall to bulge into diverticula. When these become infected or inflamed, diverticulitis results.

Diet

Emphasize: unrefined, fiber-rich foods

• Whole grains and bran; honey and lentils
• Leafy and non-starchy vegetables (e.g., lettuce, cabbage, celery, pumpkin, squash)
• Fresh fruits (e.g., pears, grapes, figs, papaya, grapefruit, gooseberries, guava)
• Dried fruits like figs and raisins

Limit/Avoid:

• High-fat foods: butter, cheese, cream, ice cream, fatty meats, fried foods, heavy gravies
• Refined/high-sugar foods: breads/pastries, candy, cookies, certain cereals, potatoes, sugar, high-fructose corn syrup, rich puddings
• Sweetened fountain drinks and alcoholic beverages

Helpful Herbs

• Plantago ovata (psyllium/ashwaghol)
• Operculina turpethum (trivrit)
• Cassia angustifolia (sanaya)
• Picrorhiza kurroa (kutki)
• Argemone mexicana (swarn shiri)