What is diverticulitis?
Diverticulitis or diverticular disease is the inflammation of diverticula of the colon due to an increase in intraluminal pressure. Diverticula are pouches that usually form on the left side of the colon walls, although they can occupy the entire colon, the presence of diverticula in the colon is called diverticulosis. When there is an increase in intraluminal pressure, there is a pulsation of the mucosa through the muscular layers of the colon at its weak points, which correspond to the points where the vasculonervous bundles penetrate.
What are the symptoms of diverticulitis?
In most cases, diverticular disease has no symptoms, but bleeding or diverticulitis may occur when there are complications. Diverticulitis (which is the infection of the diverticula) in turn can cause pain in the abdomen, fever and chills. More serious complications can lead to rupture or fistulas requiring surgery.
What are the causes of diverticulitis?
One of the causes may be having a diet too low in fiber, especially processed foods. Lack of fiber contributes to constipation and hard stools, thus increasing straining during bowel movements and pressure on the colon or intestines and therefore can lead to the formation of these pouches.
Can diverticulitis be prevented?
The best way to prevent this pathology is to exercise regularly and eat a good diet that contains fiber, of which the following foods and drinks stand out:
- Apple salad with plums
- Lemon juice, aloe vera, goji berries or carrot juice.
- Garlic
- Drinks and foods with probiotics
- Papaya
What is the treatment of diverticulitis?
The treatment of diverticular disease is basic and is based on regular consumption of dietary fiber. In the case of diverticulitis, treatment should be by antibiotics (oral or intravenous), food restrictions and stool softeners.