Diverticulitis is an abnormal occurrence in the bowels. It usually emanates from the colon characterized by the presence of mucus on the outside of the colon. The mucus is hardened into a pouch.
The cause of diverticulitis is overpressure of the colon. Persons having this disease experience fever and pain on the right side of the abdomen. Some may experience diarrhea, others may experience constipation. Overpressure of the colon in turn is caused by low-fiber diet. Low-fiber diet is usually present in processed foods because many processed foods contain low-fiber flour. Diverticulitis is caused by feces trapped in the diverticulun.
Diverticulitis can actually be treated by bowel rest – meaning only intravenous fluids must be accepted in the digestive system. However, chemical intervention is needed in the form of antibiotics. After the situation has stabled, patients are restricted to high-fiber diet only. In serious cases, surgery is needed. Surgery in turn is classified into two: bowel resection and colostomy. Bowel or colon resection is self-explanatory. I need not delve to that. Still, they are classified into two: open and laparoscopic surgery. In laparoscopic surgery, as many as four tiny incisions are made. In highly serious cases, colostomy may be necessary. In colostomy, your colon will be opened and your feces will go directly to a bag instead of to your anus. Once diverticulis disappears, the surgeon will then perform another operation to reconnect your colon and rectum.
The following are recommended foods which have high fiber content: apple, peach, pear, tangerine, asparagus, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, carrot, cauliflower, Romaine lettuce, spinach, summer squash, tomato, winter squash, baked beans, kidney beans, lima beans, potato, bread, brown rice, cereal, oatmeal and white rice. In other words, aim for 30 grams of fiber a day. Drink plenty of fluids too. There certainly is no alternative to water. Then remove your bowels regularly. (This is basic right? We were taught this in elementary.) The physician may also recommend the intake of Citrucel or Metamucil once a day. These are fiber-induced medicines classified as methylcellulose. These medicines are first mixed with water before taken. Low-fiber foods such as nuts, popcorn, sunflower, pumpkin, caraway and sesame seeds must be avoided.
But be aware though because diverticulitis is a symptom in itself. It may be a symptom of colon cancer. In fact in serious cases, persons having diverticulitis will report having bleeding in the rectum. But a CT scan can easily determine whether a person is having diverticulitis or not. In worse cases, pus may form in the colon. To drain the pus, a physician may use the conventional needle-and-catheter way.
Diverticulitis is only present in the elderly though. Why the elderly? Because as one ages, the outer muscular wall of ones colon thickens. The narrowing of the colon wall causes overpressure of the colon where buildup of diverticula occurs. Left side diverticulitis is more prevalent here but those in Asia and Africa experience diverticulitis on the right side of their abdomen. The disease is also rare there because most persons in those continents eat organic food.
