Colon Diverticulosis: Causes, Symptoms and Treatments

Diverticulosis is a condition of the colon. It often goes without diagnosis for a long time because the symptoms can be difficult to detect. The good news is that you can improve your quality of life with lifestyle and dietary changes that decrease the symptoms of diverticulosis.

Bleeding is the most common symptom. Other symptoms include bloating, cramping after meals, and diarrhea or constipation. Some people experience abdominal discomfort, pressure, or at times, sharp pain. About 10% of people age forty and 50% of people over age sixty suffer from diverticulosis.

Strong contractions of the colon cause increased pressure that weakens the colon walls and pockets form in the wall. These pockets can become infected or inflamed. If they break, the perforation releases infection to the abdominal lining. Infection is a complication of diverticulum that occurs in 10% to 25% of people with diverticulum. Other complications include tearing of the colon lining, intestinal obstruction, and abscesses.

A high-fiber diet may increase the bulk in the stool and thereby reduce the pressure within the colon. By so doing, the formation of pockets is reduced or possibly even stopped. Colon diverticulum is common in the United States, England, Australia, and Canada. It is not common in Asia and Africa. Looking at the diets of each culture may give us some ideas about how we can avoid this digestive difficulty.

A high fiber diet is important for everyone and completely essential for people with diverticulosis. Insoluble fiber is composed of plant cell walls. It is helpful in promoting proper digestion. Soluble fiber dissolves in water and lowers blood cholesterol and helps stabilize blood sugar.

Increasing the consumption of fluids, increasing fiber in the diet, and avoiding foods that cause you to be constipated reduce problems with diverticulosis. Fiber supplements may also help. These actions alone can control the symptoms, unless there are very large or infected diverticula that produce dangerous amounts of bleeding. In this case surgery may be the only way to control the bleeding. Diet will help prevent more problems after surgery.

Colon cleansers may be helpful, but not if they cause stools that are hard to pass. High fiber diets provide some cleansing for the colon. Be careful when choosing a cleansing process so that you don’t cause more damage. Consulting with a holistic practitioner will help you to choose a method safe for your specific situation.

Exercise can impact the progression of your diverticulosis. Not only does exercise relieve stress and give you a lift, but it will promote the cleansing process. Be sure to find a form of activity that fits your level of fitness. Don’t over do it or do a form of exercise that may result in injury. Never exercise on a full stomach. If you feel the need to work off a meal, you can take a leisurely stroll after eating. You can do that, but don’t try to push yourself while your body is working to digest its food.

While diverticulosis is a difficult digestive complaint to deal with, you can make a great deal of progress by changing your diet and adopting a healthy lifestyle including moderate exercise.