Diverticulitis occurs when pockets called diverticula form in the walls of the intestines and become inflamed or infected.
This most commonly happens in the colon (the large intestine).
Diverticulosis, the present of the pockets without inflammation or infection, is often is present without symptoms and is seen in approximately 40% of colonoscopies.
Symptoms Include
- Fever
- Nausea
- Fatigue
- Blood in stool
- Constant and severe stomach pain, most commonly on the lower left side.
Feel like yourself again
Schedule a free no-obligation call
Causes of Diverticulitis
A combination of a weakened bowel wall plus straining due to hard-to-pass stools result in bulges or protrusions. These bulges are the diverticula.
As with all digestive conditions, there is a crossover in the symptoms of bloating, altered bowel movements, and pains. However, if the diverticula become infected and diverticulitis (inflamed diverticular) additional symptoms can present themselves.
The development of this condition is multifactorial and involves a possible combination of the following:
Low Fibre Intake
High Red Meat Intake
Slow Colonic Motility
Chronic Use of NSAIDs
Smoking
Low Vitamin D levels
High BMI
Low Physical Acitivity
Supporting Diverticulitis with Diet
It was initially believed that corn, nuts, and seeds should be avoided in diverticular disease as there were concern fragments would become lodges in the bulges.
This has now been revised as high fibre foods (which include corn, nuts, and seeds) are generally encouraged as they can make it easier to go to the toilet.
Dietary support is based around 3 fundamental areas;
Encouraging regular and easy to pass bowel movements
Supporting the intestinal lining
Reducing inflammation
