by Kari Nichols

Created on: June 29, 2009

Diverticular disease can be a simple annoyance to live with, or can develop into a life-threatening situation. It is a condition that occurs frequently, but in most cases folks never even know they have it.

Diverticular disease affects the lower bowel, where small pockets or pouches become part of the intestinal wall. These pouches, called diverticula, themselves are harmless. But sometimes they get irritated, either because of a particular food eaten or because of constipation, which makes them enlarge. This is Diverticulosis, which result in the occasional symptoms of abdominal cramping, discomfort, and constipation. Since this condition is usually without symptoms, or the symptoms come and go, this condition is frequently found during a colonoscopy, or with testing for other symptoms, such as rectal bleeding. An occasional flare-up might be treated with antibiotics, rest, and a temporary liquid diet.

Sometimes this enlargement results in infection of the pockets of waste matter. Should this become severe, it is referred to as Diverticulitis. The primary symptom of Diverticulitis is severe abdominal pain, frequently on the lower left side. The pain can start out mild and worsen, or it can start suddenly. As the infection grows, it can generalize to the rest of the body. Symptoms may include fever, chills, nausea, vomiting, and constipation, and rectal bleeding. The infected diverticula can become abscessed or leak infected material into the abdomen, causing peritonitis, or swell to block the intestines. These conditions require prompt medical treatment. Depending on the severity, they may require a hospital stay and possibly surgery.

The best treatment for Diverticular disease is to maintain a healthy diet that includes substantial amounts of fiber. Both soluble and insoluble fiber are beneficial. Soluble fiber goes through the digestive tract as a gelatinous material, which provides softness to stools and prevents constipation. Insoluble fiber is material that we cannot digest, and so passes through the body unchanged. You may benefit from taking fiber supplements, also; just remember to drink plenty of water with them. By relieving constipation, you also reduce the physical pressure on the intestinal walls, allowing the diverticular pockets to empty spontaneously, and prevent waste material from being pushed into the diverticula.

Often, a mild attack can be associated with eating particular foods. Some of these foods may include seeds (poppy, caraway, or sesame), blueberries or strawberries (small hard seeds), popcorn, nuts, or various seeds or foods with seeds such as tomato, cucumber, or raspberries. While doctors don't have evidence of any specifics, it is simple enough to limit or eliminate a food if you feel causes a problem. Moderate exercise, especially walking, is another way to help keep the bowels functioning properly.

Most folks with Diverticular disease just follow some basic dietary considerations to keep healthy control of this pesky, but potentially dangerous, condition.

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