ARTICLE AT A GLANCE
If you’ve been struggling with recurrent bouts of nausea and lower abdominal pain, you might wonder whether you’re dealing with more than the flu. Unfortunately, you might be among the growing number of people with diverticulitis.
Diverticulitis is the name given to a variety of conditions caused by the inflammation of small sacs called diverticula that often form in the large intestine as people age. In some cases, these sacs tear, develop a hole, or fill with fecal matter, which can lead to infection as well as inflammation of the intestine and cause a wide range of symptoms.
Diverticular disease is among the most common health conditions observed by gastroenterologists. Research suggests diverticulitis has increased by 50 percent since 2000. It has also become increasingly common in younger people, despite its reputation as a disease of the elderly. In fact, as many as 20 percent of diverticulitis patients are under age 50.
Causes and Risk Factors
Though it’s unclear why diverticulitis is on the rise, a low intake of dietary fiber seems to be one likely cause of the illness. Diverticulitis is most prevalent in Western nations, and experts believe that the typical Western diet’s lack of fiber is to blame for the formation of diverticula.
Low-fiber diets lead to constipation and increased pressure on the intestinal wall during bowel movements. Without fiber to help soften stools so they can pass through the colon, weak spots susceptible to diverticula can form on the colon’s outer layer of muscle. Once a diverticula forms, it’s likely only a matter of time before it becomes inflamed or infected with bacteria.
Being overweight or obese is also a risk factor for diverticulitis, especially in younger populations. Being overweight increases the incidence of diverticula tearing and becoming infected. If you are obese, you also have an increased concentration of fatty tissue, which makes the intestine more vulnerable to inflammation.
Certain medications might have a role in diverticulitis as well. Regular use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen, steroids, or opiates for extended periods of time is associated with an increased risk for diverticulitis.
Signs, Symptoms, and Complications
It can be difficult to know whether symptoms such as belly pain, bloating, chills, fever, diarrhea, constipation, or nausea indicate diverticulitis or some other illness, such as the flu.
It’s important to consult your health care provider if you think you might have diverticulitis, but some symptoms include pain and tenderness in the lower left abdomen that worsens over time; nausea, vomiting, and changes in bowel movements; and increased white blood cell counts, which can be identified through a blood test.
If you are diagnosed with diverticulitis, you must seek treatment in order to prevent complications. While the condition can often be addressed with antibiotics, a clear-fluid diet, pain control, and, at times, hospitalization, complications do develop in a percentage of cases. Abscesses, holes, and abnormal tissue connections can develop within the large intestine, and invasive surgery is required to correct them.
Even after successful treatments for diverticulitis, you can experience ongoing physical and psychological symptoms such as chronic irritable bowel syndrome, social anxieties, and fears of recurring symptoms for years after an attack.
Tips for Preventing Diverticulitis
Fortunately, healthy lifestyle changes and choices can help avert diverticulitis altogether. Naturally lower your risk for developing the disease with these five tips:
1. Eat a high-fiber diet.
Eat balanced meals that include three cups of vegetables per day. Some people may also benefit from legumes and gluten-free whole grains as well. Women should aim for a daily intake of 25 grams of dietary fiber, and men should aim for 3o grams. Include sources of soluble fiber, such as legumes and oats, and insoluble fiber, such as vegetables and wild rice.
2. Stay hydrated.
By taking in fluids throughout the day, you’ll help prevent constipation and the additional pressure it puts on the intestines. Experts recommend men take in about 125 ounces of fluid daily and women take in about 91 ounces a day. These guidelines recommend consuming fluids from water and other healthful beverages, as well as soups and broths. Consider limiting your intake of caffeinated beverages such as coffee, as they cause your body to lose water.
3. Exercise regularly and vigorously.
Physical activity will help you manage your weight and help prevent constipation, two factors that contribute to diverticulitis. Studies have shown that people who regularly engage in vigorous exercises such as weight training and running have a reduced risk for diverticulitis.
4. Choose Quality Proteins.
5. Quit smoking.
Smoking increases your risk for diverticulitis and increases the likelihood you’ll require surgery to treat attacks.
Some of the risk factors for diverticulitis are uncontrollable — we all grow older, after all. But other factors, like diet and lifestyle choices, are completely within our control. Eating more fiber and quality proteins, consuming enough fluid, exercising regularly, and quitting smoking can all help lower your risk for the disease. Learn to recognize the symptoms, and most importantly, consult a physician if you think you might have diverticulitis.
