Diverticulosis: Causes and Treatment

Some people develop small pouches, called diverticulum in the lining of the colon or large intestine, that protrude outward through weak spots. More than one pouch is called as diverticula and the medical condition is referred as diverticulosis.

Causes
The large intestine is responsible for the storage and elimination of waste materials of the body. Continuous pressure on the muscular bands in the colon, for removing the waste, leads to a bulging pouch of tissue to protrude out from the colon wall. People above the age of 40 are more at risk of getting diverticulosis. Besides that, following are some other factors that can cause diverticulosis:

• Advancing age.
• High intake of red meat.
• Continuous constipation.
• Low intake of fiber and high intake of fat.
• Connective tissue disorders that affect the colon wall.

Symptoms
Diverticulosis is mostly asymptomatic, however few people are known to experience the following few symptoms depending upon the severity of diverticulosis:

• Abdominal pains, accompanied with sudden, mild cramps.
• Bloating caused due to gases in the abdomen.
• Constipation and bouts of diarrhea in succession.
• The presences of red blood clots in the stools.

Treatment
When the diverticulum ruptures, inflames or becomes infected, it causes diverticulitis. The doctors are still not very sure of the reasons diverticulosis gets infected, but it is commonly believed that waste material in the pouch constricts the blood supply to the thin walls of the pouch, making them vulnerable to bacterial infection in the colon. Treating diverticulosis is done more through lifestyle changes and less through medications. Following are a few changes one can make to ease the symptoms of diverticulosis:

• Consumption of a high fiber diet, that consists of fresh vegetables, fruits, whole-grain and cereal products, and bran.
• The American Dietetic Association has recommended the consumption of 20 to 35 grams of fiber each day.
• Avoidance of foods that contain indigestible roughage, such as celery and corn.
• Foods such as nuts, popcorn hulls and seeds of sunflower, pumpkin, caraway and sesame should be avoided or used sparingly.
• Avoid straining during bowel movements and its best to maintain a normal bowel routine.
• It would be preferable to avoid extremely hot or cold foods and fluids, as they cause gas in the abdomen.
• Hydration is very important for smooth bowel passage, so one needs to at least drink 6-8 glasses of water per day.
• Its important to lose weight through diet and exercise, if one is overweight.
• Alcohol irritates the bowel, whereas smoking irritates the gastric mucosa, hence both should be avoided.
• Consumption of fiber supplement such as Metamucil or Hydrocil help in the bowel movement. These products are available in powder, pills or wafers, and should be consumed with water.

Medical and surgical treatment is normally required, when diverticulosis aggravates and leads to the medical condition of diverticulitis. However, patients experiencing bloating or abdominal pain are often prescribed anti-spasmodic drugs, such as Librax, Bentyl, Donnotal, etc.

Once the diverticulum is formed, it cannot be removed without surgical procedures. A good fiber rich diet is one of the ways to manage and ensure, that diverticulosis does not aggravate and cause discomfort.