Diverticulosis And Diverticulitis

By Author: Sulamita Berrezi
Total Articles: 115
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Diverticulosis and diverticulitis are diverticular diseases. Diverticulosis refers to the formation of numerous tiny pouches in the lining of the bowel.Diverticulitis occurs when there is inflammation and infection in one or more of these pouches.
Diverticulosis is a disease characterized by small pockets or pouches (diverticula) that form and push outward through weak spots in the large intestine. Diverticula can form anywhere, including the esophagus, stomach and small intestine, but most form in the large intestine. Once diverticula have formed, the process is not reversible. When they become infected, the condition is called diverticulitis.Diverticular disease is common in industrialized countries, especially in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Australia, and fairly rare in Asia and Africa. It affects about 50% of Americans by age 60 and nearly all by age 80. A low-fiber diet is believed to be the main cause of the disease. It was first described in the United States in the early 1900s when processed foods were introduced into the American diet; many of these foods contained refined flour. Unlike ...
... whole-wheat flour, refined flour has no wheat bran and is a low-fiber food. The prevalence of the disease in industrialized countries seems to confirm the connection of diverticular disease with a low-fiber diet, since it occurs rarely in Asia or Africa, where people eat high-fiber vegetable diets.As the body ages, the outer layer of the intestinal wall thickens, which narrows the intestine. As a result, stool moves more slowly through the colon, increasing the pressure. Hard stools, such as those produced by a diet low in fiber, can further increase pressure. Repeated straining during bowel movements also increases pressure and contributes to formation of diverticula. Other age-related changes, such as a decrease in the strength and elasticity of the bowel wall, may play a role. Diverticulitis occurs when diverticula become infected or inflamed, but medical experts do not know precisely what causes the infection. It is believed to start when stool or bacteria become trapped in the diverticula.
Most people with diverticulosis do not experience symptoms. For diverticulitis, the most common symptom is abdominal pain with tenderness around the left side of the lower abdomen. Fever, nausea, vomiting, chills, cramping, and constipation may also occur.A medical history, physical examination, and diagnostic tests are required to diagnose diverticular disease. Blood samples may be taken to search for signs of infection. Examination of stool samples for the presence of blood also may be performed.The colon is often examined with a colonoscopy test. A lighted flexible tube fitted with a camera (endoscope) attached to a television monitor is inserted through the anus. This allows the doctor to see the inside lining of colon and rectum. Sometimes during the colonoscopy a tissue sample (biopsy) is taken from the intestine lining for further examination under a microscope.Another diagnostic procedure commonly used is a barium enema study. A person drinks a mixture of barium that is flavored with another liquid, and then x rays are taken. Because barium shows up on x rays, the doctor can detect abnormalities as the mixture flows through the person's intestines. Computerized tomography (CT) scans may also be used to identify diverticula.Increasing the amount of fiber in the diet may reduce symptoms of diverticular disease. The Ameri-can Dietetic Association recommends a daily intake of 20-35 grams of fiber. A diverticular disease diet seeks to increase dietary fiber to these levels to prevent constipation and the undue colon pressure that causes diverticula. Examples of foods rich in fiber include pears, raspberries, strawberries, beans, broccoli, carrots, spinach, winter squash, and cereal.Most health practitioners agree that the lack of fiber and bulk in the diet is the major cause of diverticular disease. As foods are becoming more highly refined, more people are experiencing diverticular disease symptoms. Eating a high-fiber diet is a form of therapy highly recommended by the medical profession. A gradual switch to a diet with increased intake of soluble fiber (green vegetables, oat bran) usually leads to an improvement in bowel function.