Low-fiber diets increase incidence of diverticulitis

The colon (large intestine) is a long tube-like structure that stores and then eliminates waste material. As a person ages, pressure within the colon causes bulging pockets of tissue (sacs) that push out from the colon walls. A small bulging sac pushing outward from the colon wall is called a diverticulum. More than one bulging sac is referred to as diverticula. Diverticula can occur throughout the colon but are most common near the end of the left colon called the sigmoid colon.

Although diverticula can form anywhere, including in your esophagus, stomach and small intestine, most occur in your large intestine. Because these pouches seldom cause any problems, you may never know you have them.

Diverticulitis is a condition in which diverticuli in the colon rupture. The rupture results in infection in the tissues that surround the colon. Mild cases of diverticulitis can be treated with rest, changes in your diet and antibiotics. But serious cases may require surgery to remove the diseased portion of your colon.

Diverticulitis can feel like appendicitis, except you'll generally have pain in the lower left side of your abdomen, instead of the lower right side. The pain is usually severe and comes on suddenly, but sometimes you may have mild pain that becomes worse over several days and fluctuates in intensity. You may also have abdominal tenderness, fever, nausea, and constipation or diarrhea.

Less common signs and symptoms of diverticulitis may include: vomiting, bloating, bleeding from the rectum, frequent urination, difficulty or pain while urinating and tenderness in the abdomen when wearing a belt or bending over.

The Merck Manual, the medical industry's standard text for the diagnosis and treatment of disease, tell us that colon degeneration is increasing at an alarming rate. It states that while only about 10 percent of people over the age of 45 had diverticulitis in 1950, more than 50 percent of the same age group had the disorder in 1987. Researchers believe the trend toward eating more processed foods and a diet low in fiber is the causes behind the growing incidence of diverticulitis.

Can diverticulitis be prevented?

You can help prevent diverticulitis disease by including more high-fiber foods in your diet and by using a natural colon cleansing product, which can clean out the debris and mucoid plaque that irritate the lining of the colon.

Are there other risks associated with diverticulitis? Although there's no evidence that diverticular disease increases your risk of colon or rectal cancer, it can make cancer more difficult to diagnose. Because of this, your doctor may recommend a colonoscopy after you've recovered from a bout of diverticulitis along with more frequent cancer-screening tests. A colonoscopy is a test that allows your doctor to examine your entire colon and rectum for abnormalities using a long, flexible tube with a tiny video camera at the tip (colonoscope).