The Causes of Diverticular

Diverticular disease is an extremely serious medical condition that affects the colon. It is common for many people who have the disease in its early stages not to display any symptoms. It is not until diverticular disease reaches a serious level that people begin to feel the symptoms and seek medical help.

Identification

• Diverticular disease happens in two stages. The first stage is known as diverticulosis. This is a condition in which small sacs of fluid begin to push on the walls of the colon and eventually begin to protrude out. Diverticulosis causes no pain and is only detectable through a series of tests done by a doctor. The fluid in the sacs is usually blood, but it can also be any number of other fluids found in the lower part of the colon.
  When the sacs rupture, diverticulosis turns into the much more serious condition of diverticulitis. This is the infection that develops during diverticulosis caused by the bursting of the sacs, known as the diverticula.

Types

• It is much more common to find diverticular disease in Europe and North America. It is not common in Africa and Asia. It is suspected that the tendency toward eating a low-fiber diet in Europe and North America is what leads to the greater proliferation of the condition in those countries.
  People under the age of 40 usually are not at risk from the disease, but it has been estimated that nearly half the population over the age of 50 have some form of diverticular disease.
  In many people the symptoms are not very noticeable, but some people develop severe symptoms that include cramping and anal bleeding.

Features

• As a person ages, his colon gets thicker to help facilitate the action of passing feces. If a person has a diet low in fiber then he will begin to develop smaller and harder stools that are difficult for the colon to pass. The extra exertion required by the thicker colon to pass these harder stools can result in the inner lining of the colon getting pushed outward. Since the colon is thicker, the inner lining that has pushed its way out will get trapped in the walls of the colon and begin to fill with fluid.
  This is how diverticula are formed. They eventually push their way to the outside of the colon wall and become diverticular disease.

Significance

• The symptoms of diverticulosis and diverticulitis are very similar to other abdominal conditions, such as a bleeding ulcer, so it is important to get a proper diagnosis from a physician as soon as stomach cramps and bloating occur.
  Untreated diverticular disease can lead to internal infection and even blockage of the colon.
  It is not uncommon for diverticula to burst within the colon and cause blood to appear in the stool. If there is blood in the stool, it is important to stay vigilant and notice if the condition persists. In some cases the blood will go away after a couple of days and will not require medical treatment.
  However, persistent blood in the stool or constant anal bleeding are serious symptoms and should be reported to a doctor immediately.

Expert Insight

• The Medical College of Wisconsin recommends increasing the amount of fiber in the diet to help prevent the onset of diverticular disease. It is recommended that fresh fruits and vegetables be added to the daily menu, and it is also recommended that fewer foods with processed flour are consumed as refined flour lacks the real fiber content needed to prevent diverticula from forming. Eating foods made with whole-wheat flour will help add the necessary fiber to a diet.