The human digestive system is one of the most sensitive parts of the body. Since it consists of a series of organs responsible for digesting everything we eat and drink, it is also one of the most affected by the external environment, even though it is inside our body, as often we do not have the best eating habits. And because this system is so sensitive, some diseases end up arising without us really knowing what they are, as is the case with diverticulitis. Diverticulitis is a condition that can be harmful and affects a considerable number of people every year. But why does this type of disease appear, do you know? It is not uncommon to hear about various diseases that affect this system, such as gastritis, constipation, ulcers, not to mention more serious ones like colon cancer, for example. Knowing this, it is normal to be concerned about these diseases and want to know more about how to prevent them. Of course, diet is often directly linked with the onset of this type of illness, particularly when it comes to diverticulitis. But with the rush of modern life, many people end up not even noticing what is missing from their diet, which means that many only notice the disease when it really starts bothering them.

What is Diverticulitis?

Diverticulitis is nothing more than an inflammation in the inner part of our intestine, characterized by small pouches that form and become infected inside it, called diverticula. Although these small pouches can be present in different parts of the digestive system, the large intestine is where they most commonly appear. Diverticulitis normally appears in adults over 40 and in people who have constant problems with constipation. Diverticula by themselves are harmless, which means that if they do not get infected or inflamed, they may even go unnoticed throughout a person’s life.

ATTENTION: Do not confuse diverticulitis with diverticulosis or diverticula. These are three very similar words, but with different meanings, especially regarding the risk they pose to our body.

Main Causes of Diverticulitis

It is not possible to state that there is a specific cause for diverticulitis, but it is widely known that some factors can increase the risk of inflammation of the diverticula. Some of these factors are:

  • Age – People over 40 typically suffer more from this kind of problem.
  • Diet – People who eat too much fat or have a diet low in fiber tend to suffer more from infection of the diverticula.
  • Obesity – Overweight people can also develop this problem more easily.
  • Lack of physical activity.
  • Smoking.

When talking about diet, it’s important to remember that a lack of fiber causes stools to become very hard, which puts more strain on the intestine and, consequently, increases the chances of an infection occurring in the area.

Symptoms of Diverticulitis

In its initial stage, the disease does not show many symptoms, usually only making the person feel bloated and experience cramps, especially in the lower abdomen. Still, the main symptoms are only noticed when the inflammation becomes more severe. These symptoms are:

  • Fever
  • Gas
  • Bloating
  • Loss of appetite
  • Nausea and vomiting

The symptoms can appear suddenly and get worse over the days, so it is important that diverticulosis is treated as soon as possible, so the symptoms are relieved and to prevent the inflammation in the diverticula from getting worse.

Diverticulitis Treatment

Diverticulitis is curable, meaning there are ways to treat the inflammation in the diverticula. However, there is still no way to completely eliminate diverticula from a person’s intestine, which means there is always a risk of new inflammations and infections occurring. Treatment for the condition is usually done with antibiotics to control the infection, which lasts about 10 days, along with pain relievers mainly to ease symptoms like nausea, fever, and pain. The doctor will also usually recommend a diet rich in fiber to be followed so the treatment is complete. In more severe cases, such as when there is a bowel obstruction, for example, surgery may be necessary for the diverticulitis to be properly treated. Although it may sound scary, such cases are very rare and only occur when the disease is already in a very advanced stage.

How to Prevent Diverticulitis?

The main way to prevent diverticulitis is, without a doubt, diet. Having a balanced, fiber-rich diet generally helps a person to avoid developing diverticula and, consequently, prevents them from becoming inflamed. Not smoking and exercising also help, as these are things that can contribute to inflammation. It is not uncommon for us to have to deal with digestive system diseases like diverticulitis and, although it’s a condition that can bother you and bring a number of negative consequences, diverticulitis has a cure and treatment. And, besides that, what’s most important is to know that there are ways to prevent it so that this type of disease does not affect your life and you do not have to deal with this situation. So even with the busyness of our daily routines, it is very important that we have a healthy diet to help us avoid having to deal with diverticulitis or similar conditions. See Also: Green Tea Properties Photo: Nikon D3000