by Edward F. Group III, D.C., Ph.D, N.D.,CCN

To lessen the chance of developing appendicitis, eat a diet high in fiber, avoid refined and fried foods and limit intake of cooked animal proteins to one per day. If appendicitis is suspected, do not use laxatives and avoid using a heating pad. Avoid eating and drinking. Do not take pain relievers, as they may mask symptoms and complicate diagnosis.

You have to make changes that reflect not only your eating habits but also other areas of life as well. As was stated in the last section, a good diet is so important. Without one, the body can react in a bad way.

Appendicitis usually occurs when a firm piece of stool blocks the pea-size opening of the appendix, allowing bacteria to flourish inside. Since fiber absorbs water, a high-fiber diet causes the stool to become larger, softer, and less likely to break apart. This prevents stray particles from blocking the appendix. Getting more fiber in your diet also forces the stool to move faster through the digestive tract.

One way to get more fiber in your diet the natural way is to start each day with organic fruit. Another way to get fiber is by consuming whole-grain foods. Foods like white bread, white rice, and white flour, are processed and bleached. They have no nutritional value at all. Foods made from whole-grains however, are loaded with natural fiber.

Take for example a slice of organic whole-wheat bread. One slice has 2 grams of fiber. This is four times the amount that a whole load of white bread has. A half-cup of cooked barley has 3 grams of fiber, while a half-cupped of cooked oatmeal has 3 grams. Legumes are even better sources of fiber. A half-cup of cooked split peas has 8 grams of fiber. Kidney beans have about 6 grams of fiber, while a half-cup of boiled black beans has almost 8 grams.

While fruits and vegetables can't compete with legumes for sheer fiber, they're still significant sources. A half-cup of broccoli has 2 grams of natural fiber. Apples and oranges have 3 grams. Don't forget dried fruit. A half-cup of raisins has 4 grams of fiber, while 10 dried apricot halves have 3 grams.

Although the juicy flesh of fruits contains some fiber, most of the fiber is found in the peel. So whenever possible, eat fruits and vegetables with the skin intact.

Citrus fruits, of course, are an exception to this rule, since you don't eat the skin. Thankfully, most of the fiber in oranges, grapefruit, and other citrus fruits is found in the white pith just beneath the skin. To get the most fiber from these fruits, peel the skin and eat them whole.

If however, you did have appendicitis and you had surgery to remove it, below are natural herbal treatments that are best for recovering from the surgery.

Once the crisis is over, follow the regimen below to speed recovery.

The best way to avoid appendicitis is to do the right thing – eat right (especially fiber foods), make sure to take your vitamins and any other herbal supplements required. This will stabilize the body and allow it to perform the functions given it by God to do correctly.

Appendicitis is painful and difficult to go through and deal with. If the condition is serious enough, you may need to see a doctor and have surgery done. Hopefully, you can take preventive measures now to avoid that situation in the future.