diverticulosis

Diverticulosis: description

Diverticula around the colon are among the diseases of civilization in western countries today. Doctors assume that especially the increasingly Low-fiber diet In the case of diverticulosis, it plays an important role: too little fiber causes a hard and firm stool, which is more common in most people constipation manifests. The internal pressure in the intestine is increased, so that it can happen over the years that the intestinal mucosa bulges outwards in certain places. This is increasingly the case in older people, because the connective tissue of the intestine is not so firm anymore. It also happens that diverticulosis is particularly common in old age – in about two-thirds of the over 70-year-olds there are diverticula in the intestinal mucosa. However, more and more young people have been prone to diverticulosis in recent decades.

Basically, doctors distinguish two forms of diverticula:

• Most often it comes to so-called wrong diverticos or pseudodiverts. These account for up to 90 percent of diverticulosis cases in Germany. In doing so, the intestinal mucous membrane inverts outwards through a tiny gap in the muscular intestinal wall. Often at these sites, blood vessels pass through the intestinal wall, supplying the intestine with blood.
• Rare are true diverticulain which the muscle wall of the intestine also bulges outward. These diverticula are more congenital than diet-related and are more common in people in Asia.

While true diverticula usually occur in the ascending part of the colon (ascending colon), the more common in Europe false false diverticula form mainly in the descending colon (descending colon) and the subsequent, S-shaped transition to the rectum (sigmoid colon or sigmoid) ,

Diverticulosis: symptoms and diagnosis

In the case of diverticulosis, symptoms such as pain and indigestion usually do not last for a long time. The diverticula itself is not painful. However, depending on number, size and location, they may increase over time Irritable bowel-like symptoms to lead:

• irregular bowel movements
• constipation
• diarrhea
• mild pain in the left lower abdomen

However, when a known diverticulosis symptoms such as severe pain, blood in the stool or a conspicuous constipation, this is usually a sign of inflammation (diverticulitis), an injured diverticulum or other complications.

However, diverticulosis often remains undetected and symptom-free (asymptomatic) for a long time and is a chance finding, for example as part of a colonoscopy (colonoscopy). Even on an x-ray with contrast agent in the intestine, the doctor can usually recognize the diverticulum well and make the correct diagnosis.

Diverticulosis: diet with fiber is the best therapy

Diverticulosis comes in most cases through a low-fiber diet, too little fluid and / or lack of exercise. All these factors are factors that promote constipation and promote the formation of diverticula in the long term. In addition, diverticulosis is more likely to cause complications such as diverticulitis or bleeding of the diverticulum due to certain nutritional problems.

Those who manage to switch diet and other lifestyle habits in an existing diverticulosis can usually expect a good prognosis. Most important is:

• a rich in fiber: Fruits, vegetables and wholegrain cereals are ideal sources of fiber. In addition, concentrated fiber sources such as oat bran or crushed linseed may be helpful.
• more MoveDaily walks and regular endurance training (e.g., jogging, swimming) support bowel movement.
• plentiful drink: At least two liters of water or tea a day ensure that the stool stays “supple” and counter diverticula.