Diverticulitis and Diverticulosis :
These are the two main types of diverticular disorder.
What is Diverticulosis
Diverticulosis usually results from a lack of fibre in the diet and inadequate exercise. The inner lining of the large bowel pushes through the muscular layer that contains it and pouches are formed of various sizes. Food can get trapped in these pouches which then become inflamed and infected. The result is diverticulitis.
There are often no symptoms accompanying diverticulosis though bloating, wind, nausea and constipation and/or diarrhoea can be experienced in some cases.
Diverticulitis symptoms
The symptoms of diverticulitis however are more severe and difficult to ignore. Abdominal pain, fever, nausea, constipation or diarrhoea being some of the symptoms experienced by the sufferers.
The lack of fibre in the diet is a main contributory factor; the colon has to work harder to pass the stool and straining during bowel movements can aggravate the condition. A diet low in fibre increases the likelihood of diverticulitis because waste moves slowly allowing time for food particles to become trapped and cause infection.
Although fibre can make you feel bloated and full of wind, it is good remedy because its bulk keeps waste moving quickly through the bowel. Lack of exercise can also make the colon sluggish.
However, it must be the correct type of food fibre (such as Psyllium Husks) as people with sensitive bowels / food intolerance problems may experience extreme bloating, flatulence and pains if wheat or bran is eaten.
Eat fresh fruit, vegetables and grains to boost your fibre intake and drink at least eight glasses of water daily. Such changes in your diet along with various food supplements such as probiotics, digestive enzymes and psyllium husk can help to prevent or ease flare-ups of infection.
Supplements such as Acidophilus boosts the levels of "friendly" bacteria in the gut and is especially important if you are taking antibiotics during a flare-up. Additional supplements which are particularly useful include L-Glutamine which will regenerate the cells that line the intestine, and Slippery Elm which is a mild laxative that soothes infected diverticula.
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