Diverticular disease describes two common diseases of the colon, diverticulosis and diverticulitis.
When small pouches form in the colon wall, the condition is called diverticulosis. The pouches, called diverticula, can become inflamed; when this happens, the condition name is diverticulitis. Diverticulitis can be dangerous if left untreated, causing bleeding, blockages, tears, and infection.
Diet and Diverticular Disease: Is Low Fiber the Cause?
“Diet probably has a role in the development of diverticular disease,” says Osama Alaradi, MD, a gastroenterologist and senior staff physician at the Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, Mich. Researchers have noticed that a low-fiber diet in particular seems to play a huge role.
“Countries where they continue to eat high fiber still have lower incidence of disease,” Dr. Alaradi explains. Diverticulosis and diverticulitis are less common in Africa and Asia, and most common in Western nations like the United States, where incidence reaches as high as 40 percent of people over age 60, Alaradi says.
In the United States, diverticular disease was less common at the beginning of the 19th century and has been steadily increasing since the 1960s. “Less exercise, more fast food, and less fiber. The lifestyle has changed,” Alaradi explains. “It’s much less common in vegetarians.” Vegetarian diets tend to be higher in fiber than non-vegetarian diets.
Source: Digestive Health
The Experts Thought: Diverticular disease” is the condition of having diverticula in the colon, which are outpocketings of the colonic mucosa and submucosa through weaknesses of muscle layers in the colon wall. Adding high fiber in diet would help to avoid this disorder and further complications.
October 27th, 2011 at 6:16 pm
Following the Guidelines for Americans were one half of your plate is fruits and vegetables and 1 half of all breads and cereals be whole grains is the perfect rx for this condition.
October 29th, 2011 at 4:39 pm
Following the Dietary Guidelines for Americans and MyPlate are the perfect dietary recommendations for addressing diverticular disease. Half of your plate should be fruits and vegetables and half of your daily intake of breads and cereals should come from whole grains.
October 29th, 2011 at 4:40 pm
I have diverticula. I was admitted to the emergency room a few nights ago and also diagnosed with irritable Bowel Syndrome. I always thought it Acid Reflex disease, but I just learned it’s a more serious condition. I’ve been told to stay away from acidy, fatty, whole grains and dairy products for 2 weeks. I’ve been taking Tylenol which helps a little and also a heating pad. My doctor sent a fax for a prescription over to the drug store for when the pain gets really severe. I’m glad I found out what I found out in the emergency room. I have an appointment with a specialist tomorrow. The information I was given says to find a balance with your doctor so you have just enough protein balanced with other nutrients and vitamins.
October 29th, 2011 at 4:43 pm
I have been fighting Ulcerative Colitis for my whole life and this recent flare has been 6 months in the making……..so now I am finally feeling a little better………no seeds or nuts and just follow your hunger. If you don’t have it, don’t force it down…….the fever pretty much determines how well you are feeling. It will pass. I am a clinical nutritionist and found information in the medical literature that links a bacteria from bovine tuberculosis to ulcerative colitis……I was tested and I have it! So now the project is to get rid of this so I can have less issues with that digestive system of mine…
October 29th, 2011 at 4:44 pm
Obviously all really useful help pages on that site had to be removed in order to comply with legislation which is not useful at all for folk like yourselves. Best wishes, Han.
October 29th, 2011 at 4:45 pm
Finding the right probiotic formula is cruicial. I finally had to upgrade to a Senior Formula to counter-balance the pathogenic bacteria. I am also on Xifaxan for chronic bacterial overgrowth. This has healed my diverticula. Feeding the bacteria the right kind of prebiotics is also important:
Asparagus,Jerusalem artichoke,Bananas
Onions.Leeks,Wheat bran,Oatmeal,Flax
Barley,Foods with added prebiotics
October 29th, 2011 at 4:45 pm
Many folks, and I have documentation, have had excellent results with adding powdered fruits and veggies to their diet …. it is very, very kind to the intestines yet, provides the nutrition so badly needed by the innards to heal. I will share if you like, just “e” me for more. Sorry for the round-about-way of describing this. But it works!! As a Wellness Educator as well as L.E.A.N. and Prime-Time Coach I don’t like to hear of this discomfort/pain.
October 29th, 2011 at 4:45 pm
I had Colitis and Acid Reflex disease for years. I found the solution to my problem by using Aloe Vera gel from FLP. This is really works!! Contact me for more information.
October 29th, 2011 at 4:46 pm
At my weight loss and wellness center I discovered that most, not all, of these diseases can be eased/corrected by eating gluten free. It is a gluten allergy or sensitivity that causes the irritation that eventually becomes an inflamation. There are many gluten free products on the market today which makes it much easier. Be sure to read all labels for hidden gluten.
Probiotics are mandatory. Take them daily and over a long period of time.
Eat whole foods. Avoid ALL processed foods.
October 29th, 2011 at 4:46 pm
I have a prescription for nausea but I’m not nausus right now. I do have a lot of sharp pains in my chest,abdomen and through my back and sides. The pain tends to move around a lot. I can’t move my bowels, just do water. So need to find a solution for the regular pain. The acid reflex pills don’t work. The hospital took lots of blood, an ultra sound and chest exrays as well as for my side. I have an appointment with a specialist this afternoon to see what is really going on.
October 29th, 2011 at 4:47 pm
I had the exact same problem. I spent thousands on every GI test known to man. I finally went cold turkey and did an elimination diet. After 4 days of rice and broth and chicken, I added back one saltine cracker. I threw up immediately. The pains came back. I have been gluten-free, high fiber diet since 2006. It took 2 weeks to be drug-free. My dermatologist diagnosed herpetiformis dermatitis – an IgA mediated skin allergy to gluten, but I also have the GI problems. I only get a flare-up of diverticulae if I get any gluten. I subsequently had the bacterial overgrowth problem which inflames the diverticulae. It can be a cycle of problems. Good luck.
October 29th, 2011 at 4:47 pm
I just came from the specialist and it turns out the Phillips I take for constipation isn’t what I should be taking. In addition to my acid reflex medicine I need to take metamucil a fiber supplement every day, Colace (non-laxative) amd miralex only when needed. In addition I was given a list of foods to avoid, to eat with caution and those that I can have. It’s agrivating. I love Raisin Bran and I can’t have it. My mom had my dad buy rice crispies, but I don’t like them. They have a lousy taste to them. I started eating cereal to regulate myself and so I wouldn’t eat inbetween meals. I’ll have to fool around and find a cereal I like that I can tolerate. I have to have a Gstroinestinal Endoscopy and don’t have any insurance. The state is really giving me the run around. How can they put me on a spend down if I have no income coming in?
October 29th, 2011 at 4:48 pm
My friend’s father used to get diverticulitis. His last bout, just over a year ago, had become so swollen and painful that another expensive hospital stay was imminent. On his daughter’s “urging,” he started drinking Zija, a Moringa oleifera-based liquid nutritional. After only TWO days, his pain, swelling and symptoms disappeared. He has not had another bout since. Additionally, his lactose intolerance of nearly 30 years was no longer an issue, either. Providing the body with the nutrition it needs to heal itself and bring itself back into balance is just not possible with today’s diet. Zija provides 100% of the nutrition the body needs (and craves) on a daily basis. 100% bioavailability of 92 nutrients, including vitamins, minerals, 46 anti-oxidants, 36 anti-inflammatories, nearly all amino acids (including the 9 essential ones not found in our food chain nor produced by the body), and Omegas 3, 6, and 9. Complete nutrition from a single botanical. Utterly amazing results on many, many different health issues. (Folklore from civilizations using this botanical for thousands of years report using Moringa to treat 321 different ailments with startling results).
October 29th, 2011 at 4:48 pm
Due to the Medical Council’s regulations companies are unable to make claims that a certain product can help with a specific problem. Some people have said that they have found benefits from the use of aloe vera. When researching this do look at the source and purity of the product and what constitutes a “juice”.