Diverticulosis of Colon

Diverticulosis is one of diseases caused by poor diet and an unhealthy lifestyle. For some time diverticulosis has been known as the “presidents’ disease” as it coincidentally occurred in two former European presidents at the same time. Diverticulosis, however, affects even common citizens and in the western world up to 60% of people aged over 60. Its symptoms may be mistaken for other digestive disorders.

Risk factors

The mainrisk factor of colon diverticulosis is food low on fibre which is very important for the stool content as well as its easy elimination. If the food is low in fibre, the stool passes through the gut with great difficulty and the intestinal wall is under strain; this consequently produces diverticula that aresacs formed by herniation of the intestinal wall. Multiple diverticula are then called diverticulosis. If faeces accumulate and bacteria multiply within the diverticula, inflammation occurs and this is called diverticulitis.Weakened immune system then increases the risk of multiplying diverticula and bacteria, in other words the onset of inflammation.

Signs and symptoms of diverticulosis

Diverticulosis of the colon manifestssimilarly to most intestinal disorders. A person affected by diverticulosis suffers from frequent constipation and bloating, in some cases even bleeding or blood in their stool. If diverticulosis develops into inflammation (diverticulitis), very painful symptoms appear, particularly in the area of the left lower abdomen. This condition may progress to a more serious complication such as perforation of the gut which leads to a life-threatening peritonitis. Apart from acute diverticulosis which has a very rapid onset, there is also chronic diverticulosis. Chronic diverticulosis manifests similarly to inflammation of the appendix (appendicitis), but appendicitis is felt on the opposite side of the abdomen.

Preventing diverticulosis

Prevention is directly related to eating habits and fluid intake.High fibre food has a positive impact on the gut and thus contributes to the prevention of diverticulosis. Fibre is contained particularly in fruit and vegetables, legumes and nuts or seeds. Of the bakery products the whole grain products should always be the choice of preference and the brown rice instead of white rice. Garlic in any form is strongly recommended. We should avoid overeating, especially late at night, and compromising our immune system; this may be prevented by a regular boost of natural food supplements.

Treatment of diverticulosis

High fibre food and regular fluid intake encourage therecovery of intestinal function and smooth bowel movement. If the colon is seriously disturbed, a surgical or a conservative treatment is necessary. An antibiotic treatment is selected for inflammation of diverticula, this should be automatically complemented by a natural food supplement in order to boost the immune system.

Impact of the immune system on diverticulosis

The immune system affects not only a potential formation of diverticula, but also their development and the possibility of inflammation. Therefore, weak immunity is one of the risk factors of diverticulosis,and it should be regularly boosted by natural food supplements, not only when the disease attacks, but primarily as a form of prevention. This is particularly true in people presented with more risk factors of diverticulosis.