Diverticulitis and diverticulosis
A few years ago, I had a friend who told me that they had suffered for a long time with diverticulosis, and while I was sympathetic, I knew very little. I went to the library and found peer-reviewed research articles and I began taking notes. I will share a short, organized synopsis of the information that I found. I found that diverticulitis and diverticulosis are two words that mean about the same, just that diverticulosis refers to (the condition) and diverticulitis refers to (the inflammation).
What is diverticulosis?
Diverticulitis is inflammation of an abnormal pouch (diverticulum) in the intestinal wall, usually found in the large intestine (colon). The presence of the pouches themselves is called diverticulosis. While there is a lot of information available, there is still a good deal of confusion about diverticulosis and diverticulitis.
Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors
Small protruding sacs of the inner lining of the intestine (diverticulosis) can develop in any part of the intestine. They are most common in the colon. These sacs, called diverticula, occur with increasing frequency after the age of 40. When they become inflamed, the condition is known as diverticulitis.
Diverticulitis is an inflammatory condition where the area around the diverticula becomes irritated and attracts immune cells. It affects 10% to 20% of those with diverticula at some time. These areas can become infected. Risk factors are older age and history of diverticula or prior episodes of diverticulitis. You may be happy to learn that eating a high-fiber diet may prevent episodes.
Diverticulitis is infection/inflammation of the diverticuli. In other words, a person with diverticulosis may get diverticulitis when a stool gets caught in one or more of these “pockets,” and they become inflamed or infected. This typically causes fever, pain and tenderness in the abdomen. The two major signs of diverticular disease are bleeding and infection.
Diverticulitis usually clears up within a week with antibiotics and a liquid or soft diet, but may persist for much longer. (A soft diet includes anything that does not require a lot of chewing: soup, mashed potatoes, cooked or pureed vegetables, bananas, Jell-O and pudding fit this category.) After the acute infection clears up, patients should eat a high-fiber diet including nuts, seeds, whole grains, fruits and vegetables. They should drink plenty of fluids and avoid constipation at all costs, even if that requires taking Metamucil (psyllium seed) or other fiber products daily. Metamucil is good for you, and I found that it was not very expensive when I bought some at the store for my daily fiber intake. Hard stools or straining will cause more diverticuli to appear or the existing ones to enlarge.
Treatment
Everyone should eat a diet high in fiber, but especially people with diverticulosis. Nuts are a good source of fiber and protein. Although nuts contain fat, it is mostly unsaturated, the "good kind." Dietary fiber is found in plant foods. So eat lots of fruits and vegetables. Many doctors agree that eating high fiber foods is the ONLY treatment for diverticulosis. Fiber cannot be digested by humans. (It just passes straight through your digestive system, while gently cleaning your system.) Fiber has no calories because the body cannot absorb it, so it provides a feeling of fullness and adds bulk in the diet. This assists digestion and elimination.
While your diet is very important, I am not a doctor, and I want to urge you to call your health care provider if symptoms of diverticulitis occur, especially if your family has a history of colon cancer.
My friend that had diverticulosis found a new supplement that helped her more than anything else. that glyconutrients supplements (immune boosting cellular enhancement) and fiber were how she was able to completely get rid of diverticulosis.
For info on discount glyconutrients and diverticulosis, or to buy glyconutrients, go learn more at www.ifoundhealth.com.
Spencer Hunt is a bilingual college student studying Chemistry and Nutrition. He also uses and recommends glyconutrients to anyone wishing to improve their health and wellness.
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