Diverticulosis and diverticulitis

Diverticulosis means outpouchings of the colon. Low fiber diets cause hard stools—these increase pressure in the colon, ballooning the colon wall at weak spots where the blood vessels enter the colon. Diverticula are common—we get more diverticula as we grow older.
 
Diverticulitis is infection of a diverticulum or colon outpouching. Stool or seeds or nuts get caught in these outpouchings, blocking them. The blocked diverticulum gets infected and may perforate, either spilling stool beside the colon or throughout the abdomen.

Eat a high fiber diet (fresh fruits, fresh vegetables, bran, whole wheat, beans) to decrease your chances of developing diverticula and to reduce problems with your diverticula. Avoid seeds and nuts.

Diverticulosis and Diverticulitis Overviews

Diverticulosis and Diverticulitis Pictures

Home | Surgeons' Links | Nurses' Links | Breast Problems | My Resumé