What is Diverticulosis and Diverticulitis?

In the colon, some people have small pouches that bulge outward through weak spots. Diverticular disease is an inflammation or infection in the pouches, known as diverticula, which are located in the colon.

What causes Diverticulosis and Diverticulitis?
Although not proved, the main cause of diverticular disease is believed to be a low-fiber diet. Fiber is the part of fruits, vegetables, and grains that the body cannot digest.

• Soluble fiber dissolves easily in water and takes on a soft, jelly-like texture in the intestines.
• Insoluble fiber passes almost unchanged through the intestines.

Both kinds of fiber help make stools soft and easy to pass, which helps to prevent constipation.

Constipation is the main cause of increased pressure in the colon, making the muscles strain to move stool that is too hard. The excess pressure caused by the straining makes the weak spots in the colon bulge out, forming diverticula.

Symptoms of Diverticulosis and Diverticulitis
The following are the most common symptoms of diverticular disease. However, each individual may experience symptoms differently. Symptoms may include:

• Diverticulosis
  Diverticulosis may not cause any discomfort or symptoms, but could include mild cramps, bloating, and constipation. These symptoms may be caused by irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), stomach ulcers, or other problems and do not always indicate diverticulosis.
• Diverticulitis
  The most common symptom is abdominal pain and the most common sign is tenderness around the left side of the lower abdomen. When infection is the cause, fever, nausea, vomiting, chills, cramping, and constipation may also occur.

The symptoms may resemble other medical conditions or problems. Always consult your physician for a diagnosis.

Treatment of Diverticulosis and Diverticulitis
The American Dietetic Association recommends consuming 20 to 35 grams of fiber each day. Treatment may include increasing dietary fiber intake by eating foods such as the following:

• Whole grain breads, cereals, and other products
• Fruit, such as berries, apples, and peaches
• Vegetables, such as broccoli, cabbage, spinach, carrots, asparagus, and squash
• Beans

In the past, avoiding foods with small seeds, such as tomatoes or strawberries, was suggested because it was believed that particles could lodge in the diverticula and cause inflammation. Consult your physician regarding which foods you should avoid.

Treatment for diverticulitis may also include:

• Medications (to control pain)
• Medications (for infection and inflammation)
• Medications (to control muscle spasms)
• Resting the colon, with liquid diet and bed rest
• Preventing or minimizing complications, such as the following:
• Infection
• Perforations or tears
• Blockages
• Bleeding

Hospitalization may be required for acute attacks with severe pain or infection. Surgery may be necessary in some cases.

Source:  www.placentialinda.staywellsolutionsonline.com/library/encyclopedia and National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/diverticulosis/