By the age of sixty, 60% of Americans will have Diverticulosis, but most of them won't know it. Diverticular disease, which includes both Diverticulosis and Diverticulitis, may show no symptoms(but it can also cause some severe symptoms). Learn everything you need to know about these colon conditions below:
As their similar-sounding names suggest, Diverticulitis and Diverticulosis are related (but separate) conditions. Diverticulosis occurs when small pouches form in the walls of the colon. Though these pouches can break blood vessels and cause painless bleeding, they are generally not inflamed or infected. In diverticulitis, however, pieces of stool become trapped in these pouches, and the tissue becomes inflamed and can even burst, causing serious inflammation and infection in your abdomen.
Diverticulosis occurs in the lower, descending portion of the colon, which is on the left side of the abdomen (although it may happen on the right side, too). Many people with Diverticulosis are unaware of it because they usually do not feel any discomfort, and may not require treatment.
The symptoms of Diverticulitis are usually much more severe. Either suddenly or over the course of several days, you may notice pain and tenderness (often on the left lower side of the abdomen, though it may also be on the right), bloating, gas, fevers and chills, nausea, bleeding, vomiting or loss of appetite. If you have these symptoms, you should seek medical care right away as Diverticulitis can be life threatening.
Despite advances in medical research, we know very little about the exact cause of Diverticular disease. But scientists suspect that the following conditions may contribute to its occurrence:
·
Abdominal obesity: A high accumulation
of fat around the waist is linked to acute Diverticulitis in younger obese
adults.
·
Constipation: When there is constipation, more force is
required to move the bowel. The increased pressure, however, can cause some
parts of the colon that are weaker to deform and bulge out.[i]
Drinking water keeps your bowels moving smoothly.
·
Insufficient fiber: When there is not enough dietary fiber, stool becomes
less bulky and requires more contraction of the colon to move. This would lead
to higher pressure, especially at the sigmoid colon (the ending part of the
large intestine before the rectum and anus), and promotes the occurrence of Diverticulosis
in the gut.
Foods like fruits, veggies and whole
grains make stool easier to pass and will decrease stress on your colon. It's
easy to add fiber into your diet – for example, half a cup of navy beans has
almost 10 grams of fiber, a small pear has 5 grams and a cup of sweet potato
with the skin has 7 grams of fiber. Aim for 25 to 40 grams of fiber a day.
·
Old age: Diverticular disease
is more common among those above 45 years old. The exact reason is unknown. The
prevalence could be a result of multiple factors including weaken colonic wall,
age-related wear and tear, and decreased mobility.
·
Sedentary lifestyle: Physical exercise may help to move stool
quicker through the colon and give less chance for Diverticula to form. This promotes normal bowel function and reduces pressure in the colon.
Here is one suggestion to consider: To prevent Diverticulitis
attacks, one way is to include fresh foods that are
anti-inflammatory,
nutrient-dense, minimally processed (read: high-fiber) and that you are not
allergic or sensitive to. These could include salmon (choose wild Alaskan salmon if possible),
spinach, sweet potatoes, ginger, papaya and other bright color vegetables and
fruits.
The nuts and berries myth: For years, doctors warned patients with Diverticulosis not to corn, seeds, nuts,
popcorn, and berries. They thought that these particles could get
stuck in the pouches and cause Diverticulitis. This has been proven to be
incorrect, and eating these foods twice a week (which are often high in fiber)
may actually decrease a Diverticulitis risk. The reason is unclear.
If you just had a Diverticulitis attack, you may need to stick to a liquid diet and totally abstain from high-fiber foods for a period of time to prevent aggravating the inflammation in the colon. When your condition eases, fibrous foods may be re-introduced slowly before going back to your normal diet. Discuss with your physician on the exact foods that you should and should not take during the recovery period.
One of the easiest and most effective ways of reducing inflammation is by fueling your body with food that supports you.” (Eva Selhub, MD)[ii]
[i] A squatting
position is a more stress-free way for a bowel movement to come since it helps
straighten the rectum, and reduces straining. Keep a box in the bathroom to put
your feet on while you're on the toilet. (Delaying bowel movements makes stool harder
and more difficult to pass.)
[ii] Sources used:
·
“Asymptomatic” by Merriam-Webster
·
“Diverticulosis & Diverticulitis:
Essential Facts” by the Conscious Life
·
“Diverticulosis and Diverticulitis: What You
Need to Know” by Dr Oz
Inspired by my wife
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