Diverticulosis Bowel Disease

Diverticulosis is a condition that occurs when small pouches called diverticula develop in the lining of the wall of the large intestine. Some of these sacs can occur anywhere along the digestive tract, but most commonly occurs in the colon. Most cases of diverticulosis are found in men and women over the age of 60 and rarely in people under the age of 30.

Causes

• There is no known cause for diverticulosis, but some factors may contribute. High pressure in the colon may cause a weak spot to form on the wall. High pressure may be caused from a low fiber diet which allows stool to remain in the colon longer creating higher pressure. Straining during bowel movements can also increase pressure within the colon.

Symptoms

• Most people will not have symptoms with diverticulosis, but if they do they will be mild and include discomfort in the lower left side of the abdomen, bloating and cramping. When diverticulosis turns into diverticulitis, which is when the pouches inside the colon become inflamed, symptoms may include severe pain in the lower left side of abdomen, fever, nausea, burning on urination, fever and chills.

Diagnosis

• Diverticulosis is diagnosed through one of several tests. In a barium enema a solution is injected into the colon as an x-ray is taken. The solution highlights the colon wall and allows the doctor to see any pouches or polyps. In a colonoscopy your doctor uses a thin flexible tube with a lighted camera on the end, which is inserted into your rectum up into your colon, to view inside the intestine walls. With this device your doctor can see any abnormal growths in the colon.

Complications

• As mentioned, diverticulosis can lead to diverticulitis which is a painful disorder caused by inflammation of the sacs or diverticula on the colon walls. You may bleed from the rectum if one sac or pouch ruptures inside the colon. For severe cases you may need to be hospitalized and given antibiotic treatment to fight infection in your colon. After release you will be instructed on foods you should avoid such as nuts, popcorn and fruits such as strawberries that have small seeds. These foods might get stuck in the pouches on the colon walls and start the inflammation of diverticulitis.

Prevention/Solution

• When diagnosed with diverticulosis, your doctor will encourage you to eat a high fiber diet and drink plenty of fluids. Constipation may play a part in forming the pouches in diverticulosis and changing your diet and drinking plenty of fluids can decrease the chance of becoming constipated. Eat more whole grain foods, fruits and vegetables. You may want to add a fiber supplement such as Metamucil.