Diverticular Disease And Diverticulitis

[DeAnn Durrett]

Diverticular Disease And Diverticulitis     Diverticula is the medical term used to describe the small bulges that stick out of the side of the large intestine (colon). Diverticula are common and associated with ageing. It is thought the pressure of hard stools (poo) passing through the large intestine that has become weakened with age causes the bulges to form.     It is estimated that half of people have diverticula by the time they are 50 years old, and 70% of people have them by the time they are 80 years old.The majority of people with diverticula will not have any symptoms; this is known as Diverticular disease.    One in four people who develop diverticula will experience symptoms such as abdominal pain. Having symptoms associated with diverticula is known as diverticular disease.    Diverticulitis describes infection that occurs when bacteria becomes trapped inside one of the bulges, triggering more severe symptoms. Diverticulitis can lead to complications such as an abscess inside the intestine. What causes diverticula, and how do diverticula form? The muscular wall of the colon grows thicker with age, although the cause of this  thickening is unclear. It may reflect the increasing pressures required by the colon to  eliminate feces. For example, a diet low in fiber can lead to small, hard stools which are  difficult to pass and which require increased pressure to pass. The lack of fiber and  small stools also may allow segments of the colon to close off from the rest of the  colon when the colonic muscle in the segment contracts. The pressure in these  closed-off segments may become high since the increased pressure cannot dissipate  to the rest of the colon. Over time, high pressures in the colon push the inner  intestinal lining outward (herniation) through weak areas in the muscular walls. These  pouches or sacs that  develop are called diverticula. Lack of fiber in the diet is considered the most likely cause of diverticula, and there is a  good correlation among societies around the world between the amount of fiber in the  diet and the prevalence of diverticula. Many patients with diverticular disease have  excessive thickening of the muscular wall of the colon where the diverticula form. The muscle also contracts more strongly. These abnormalities of the muscle may be  contributing factors in the formation of diverticula. Microscopic examination of the  edges of the diverticula show signs of inflammation, and it has been suggested that there may be an inflammatory component to the formation of the  diverticula. What causes diverticulitis (infection and inflammation of a diverticulum)?  Experts do not fully understand why diverticulitis - the infection of at least one  diverticula - occurs. We do know that the bacteria in the stool rapidly multiply and  spread, causing an infection. It is thought that a diverticulum becomes blocked,  possibly by a piece of feces (piece of a stool), which could lead to infection. Some  studies have indicated that genetics may be a factor. The following may contribute to diverticulitis: Low-fiber diet—Fiber softens stools and makes them pass through the bowel more easily Increased pressure in the bowel from straining to pass a hard stool Defects in the colon wall Chronic constipation Risk Factors Factors that increase your chance of getting diverticulitis include: Eating a low-fiber diet Age: 50 or older Previous episodes of diverticulitis High-meat diet or high-protein diet Chronic constipation Smoking Symptoms There's a fair bit of research being done to show that diverticular disease, and other  inflammatory bowel diseases are caused by bacterial overgrowth in the large intestine. And what does bacteria feed on?? SUGAR!! Get rid of the sugar, and the refined flours and grain products. It might be helpful also  to avoid dairy products and cheese for a while too, since the small amounts of lactose can be an aggravating factor.  From reading it shows that fungus,low fiber and inflammation plays a huge part !!! I would totally up the  Probiotics and Fast Relief !!!!! Here is a Plexus Testimony to share with you: Julie says ~ My journey with Plexus Slim, Accelerator began on July 11. I was simply desperate to get my Pre-Graves' disease figure back. I was diagnosed 3 years ago and it has been a constant battle with my weight, although I had never battled weight issues prior to my diagnosis and need to undergo Radioactive Iodine Ablation to destroy my thyroid. It took over 2 years to get my thyroid levels to normalize but last Fall I was thrown into another med change (preventative breast cancer protocol to replace Tamoxifen, which I had taken for 3 years with no impact on my weight). I gained 17 lbs in less than 2 months and on a tiny frame, that's a lot of weight and shoved me out of my wardrobe. I was the queen of cardio -- some days power walking any where from 7-12 miles, and eating a low carb diet. Nonetheless, that darn scale would not move! My body would not let go of any of the weight. With Graves' I have to carefully watch my diet and supplements. When I saw the success my friend, had achieved with MS, I reached out to learn more about Plexus products. I started with the 7 day trial Plexus Slim -- just in case it set off my Graves' symptoms. Within 3 days, I ordered the 30 day pack and accelerator. The weight started coming off. As of November 9, I not only lost those 17 lbs from the med change, but lost 3 more and 13 inches. I feel like my old self again and I am back into my size 2 petite wardrobe! Plexus Rocks! And I believe in these products. Plexus gave me my body back Next I plan to use the nerve health supplement as I do suffer from numbness in my fingertips. www.drd.myplexusproducts.com/139204   Thank you and God Bless