Diverticulosis/Diverticulitis

Overview

Many people have small pouches in their colons that bulge outward through weak spots like an inner tube that pokes through weak places in a tire. This is called diverticulosis. When the pouches are blocked by stool and become infected or inflamed the condition is known as diverticulitis. The problem generally appears after the age of 40 and becomes more common as we get older.

Symptoms

Diverticulosis

Most people with diverticulosis do not have any discomfort or symptoms other than perhaps mild cramps bloating and constipation. Other diseases such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and stomach ulcers cause similar problems so these symptoms do not always mean you have diverticulosis. See your doctor if you have any of these symptoms.

Diverticulitis

The most common symptom of diverticulitis is abdominal pain with tenderness around the left side of the lower abdomen. If infection is the cause fever nausea vomiting chills cramping and constipation may occur as well. The severity of symptoms depends on the extent of the infection and complications. Complications can include bleeding infections perforations or tears or blockages. These complications always require treatment to prevent them from progressing and causing serious illness. See your doctor right away.

Causes

Although not proven the dominant theory is that a low-fibre diet is the main cause of diverticular disease. The disease was first noticed in the early 1900s when processed foods were first introduced into the North American diet. Many processed foods contain refined low-fibre flour. The disease is rare in countries where people eat high-fibre vegetable diets.

Treatment

Treatment is aimed at clearing any infection resting the bowel and preventing complications. Your doctor will likely prescribe an antibiotic. Once it begins to work the pain should subside. It helps to drink only clear liquids for a few days. If you have had multiple attacks or if a pouch breaks and spreads stool into the abdominal cavity surgery may be necessary.

Prevention

Increasing the amount of fibre in the diet may reduce symptoms of diverticulosis and prevent diverticulitis. Fibre keeps stool soft and lowers pressure inside the colon so that bowel contents can move through easily. The Nutrition Recommendations for Canadians do not specify the exact amount of fibre we need to eat. However according to Dietitians Canada it is generally recommended that adults aim for 25-35 grams of fibre per day.