subject: Diverticulitis Causes, Risk Factors And Treatment [print this page] Diverticulitis Causes, Risk Factors and Treatment
What is diverticulitis? Diverticulitis causes by an increase pressure on the intestinal wall that starts inside the intestine. But aside from that, youll be surprise of several things that causes the diverticulitis to exist in a person. This includes the unhealthy foods and lifestyle habits, too.
When high pressure that is located inside the large intestine pushes against the weak spots in the intestine wall, the diverticula are formed, as what doctors believed. Spastic movements of the colon can also trigger in the development of diverticula. It is not identified why some people who have diverticulosis develop diverticulitis and why others dont.
The diet also can cause diverticulitis. Once a diet is low in fiber, the colon is required to work harder to push a smaller and harder stool. A diet thats low in fiber adds the amount of time that the stool stays in the bowel. As a result, it increases the pressure.
Diverticulitis disease is more widespread in countries that have low fibers diets. The disease is uncommon in counties such as Asia and Africa where the usual diet is mostly vegetables and fruits. There are two kinds of fiber: soluble fiber that dissolves in water and acquires a jelly like texture inside the intestines, and insoluble fiber that simply passes through the intestines. These two types of fiber provides healthy stool, making them softer and easier to pass through the intestine.
The outer layer of the intestinal wall condenses, as the body increases in age. This causes the open space thats located inside the intestine to be thin. Feces moves more slowly throughout the colon and increases the pressure.
Repeated straining throughout the bowel movements can also increase the pressure and causes to form the diverticula. Another reason that increases the pressure is the hard stools that are produced by low-fiber diet or slower transmission of stool through the colon.
Risks Factors of Diverticulitis
Maybe you dont know that there are some factors that can increase the chances of getting diverticulitis. Here, are some of them:
Too small amount of fiber- Diverticulitis are very common to the industrialized countries than in those countries that eat a high-fiber diet. For instance, the United States where the standard diet is high in refined carbohydrates rather than high in fiber. For anyones added information, diverticulitis started to appear after the steel-rolling mills were introduced. With this, fiber is highly reduced in the contents of flour and other associated grains.
Aging if you are over 40 years of age, then you are more prone to get diverticulitis. Actually, the reasons are still unknown but maybe its the age-related changes, like decrease in elasticity and strength of your bowel wall. This may contribute to create diverticulitis.
Smoking- if a person engages in smoking cigarettes, he/she is more likely can get diverticulitis.
Overweight/ obesity- being overweight can also increase the probability of developing diverticulitis and diverticular bleeding.
Lack of Exercise- lack of exercise has been linked with a greater danger of forming the diverticula. This puts the person at risk of diverticulitis. But the reasons for this are not understood yet.
Diverticulitis Treatment
Diverticulitis self-care home may help and prevent the new formation of diverticula. These are some measurements that a person must do: Eating a high-fiber diet that includes fruits, vegetables, dried beans, whole grains, lentils and peas. These foods have element that your body cannot digest. They also passed through your colon;
Water is essential. Drink of plenty of fluids, most especially, the water. Fluids help maintain stools to become soft and prevention of constipation. And, exercise to become physically fit. Get lots of physical activity to allow the bowels in functioning properly. Do not let diverticulitis stops you, it is advisable that you start changing your diet, now.