How Is Diverticulitis Different Than Diverticulosis?
More than half of Americans older than 60 have developed diverticula in their digestive systems, and these pouches are common in adults older than 40. In most cases, these pouches will not cause significant problems, and the only indication that they exist may be some bloating or cramping in the lower abdomen, potentially accompanied by some blood in the stool.
While the exact cause of these pouches is unknown, it is believed that diets high in animal fat or processed foods, with low fiber intake, can trigger the formation of these pouches. The reasoning is that constipation and hard stools are common in adults who don’t eat enough fiber, causing them to strain to pass stools, thus putting pressure on the colon and intestines.
In some cases, one (or several) of these pouches may tear, causing small pieces of feces to become trapped in the pouches, causing infection or inflammation. This disorder typically has severe and rapid symptom onset, bringing the sufferer severe abdominal pain, fever, nausea and a marked change in bowel movements. Treatment options for this condition vary depending on the severity of the case, the degree of tearing, and the level of infection or inflammation the patient sustains.
What Are the Symptoms of Diverticulitis?
People who develop this condition typically experience sudden onset of the following common symptoms:
· Pain or tenderness, most often in the lower left side of the abdomen, although it may occur on the lower right side (especially in people of Asian descent). This pain may be constant or recur over a period of several days.
· Bloating and gas
· Fever or chills
· Constipation or diarrhea
· Nausea and vomiting
· A feeling of being full, even when you haven’t eaten
Am I at Risk of Developing Diverticulitis?
Several factors can increase your risk of developing this condition:
Age: Incidence of diverticulitis increases with age and an increased likelihood of having developed diverticula.
Obesity: Obesity increases your chance of developing diverticulitis. Morbid obesity can increase your risk of having to undergo more invasive treatments if you do develop this condition.
Smoking: Smokers are more likely than non-smokers to develop diverticulitis.
Poor Physical Fitness/Lack of Exercise: Being physically fit is said to decrease your risk of diverticulitis, whereas a sedentary lifestyle may put you at greater risk.
Diet: Diets that are high in animal fat and low in fiber or mainly comprise processed foods may be a cause of diverticulitis.
Medications: Several drugs have been linked to an increased risk of diverticulitis, including steroids, opiates and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, including ibuprofen and naproxen.
What Can I Do to Treat Diverticulitis?
Roughly 75 percent of people who develop diverticulitis can manage their symptoms with rest, dietary changes and antibiotics, but there are additional steps you can take to avoid having a recurring episode. Among the steps you should take to manage your diverticulitis at home:
Exercise
Exercise has been proven to boost overall health, and regular exercise can help boost digestive tract function. It also can help you manage your weight, meaning that you may be less likely to require invasive treatments if you develop recurring episodes of diverticulitis. In fact, a 2010 study in California found that exercise, particularly running, significantly decreased the risk of developing the condition altogether, with a 36 percent risk reduction for each meter-per-second increment in a 10k performance test in both men and women.
Change Your Diet
Fried foods and red meat can weaken the digestive walls and aggravate diverticulitis, as can caffeine. Changing your diet can help ease symptoms and prevent or minimize the severity of a future episode. Low fiber intake has been linked to diverticulitis onset, so add high-fiber foods to your diet (you should be consuming 25 to 30 grams of fiber every day) to boost the digestive tract’s function, prevent constipation and ease symptoms of diverticulitis.
Fiber works best when it comes from foods such as beans, whole grains, vegetables and fruits. Add fiber to the diet gradually because it can cause gas and bloating if increased too quickly.
Cut back or eliminate sugar altogether because sugar intake has been linked to aggravated symptoms in diverticulitis sufferers. Diverticulitis sufferers should avoid other foods as well:
· Asparagus
· Broccoli
· Brussels sprouts
· Cabbage
· Cherries
· Cola drinks
· Foods and drinks with added sugar (including syrup and orange juice)
· Dairy products
· Nuts
· Peaches
· Pears
Take Probiotics
Taking probiotics can boost the number of beneficial bacteria in the gut and restore the intestines to balance, preventing future diverticulitis outbreaks and easing symptoms. However, if your diverticulitis is in an active state, you may be sensitive to probiotics, so they should be gradually introduced to your diet. L. acidophilus, which exists naturally in the body, is commonly used as a probiotic because this condition may minimize the natural levels that exist in the digestive tract and disrupt intestinal health. L. acidophilus has been shown to help manage diarrhea, decrease intestinal infections and pouch inflammations associated with diverticular disease.
Try Acupuncture
Acupuncture has been shown to be effective in managing pain and symptoms of diverticulitis. Therapists will treat people with diverticular disease based on an individual assessment of each patient's excesses and deficiencies of qi (or energy) located in various medians. It has been shown that this acupuncture process and Chinese medicine in general may help boost gastrointestinal health.