Diverticulosis Puzzle

[nohorn]

Several of my relatives have diverticulosis. I do not have it, yet..... I did some research on the internet, usual medical info spots, on "how to prevent diverticulosis" and was wondering about the information. Several sources said lack of fiber in diet, red meat, too much carbohydrate, constitpation, and ibuprofin could be the cause. Well that's the diet of 99 percent of USA/West....etc. Why doesnt all those people have it? It was most likely my diet for a good share of my life. Any one have any thoughts about those reasons or how you can prevent diverticulosis? It seems to me those are very broad reasons. Could I be correct in saying those are "shot gun" guesses and no one know how to prevent the disease.

[Buenchico]

>>>Could I be correct in saying those are "shot gun" guesses and no one know how to prevent the disease.

Quote:
"There is currently no clinical evidence to fully prove the link between fibre and diverticula. However, diverticular disease and diverticulitis are both much more common in Western countries, where many people do not eat enough fibre".

Source:
http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Diverticular-disease-and-diverticulitis/Pages/Causes.aspx

So we're in a similar position to what we used to know about the link between smoking and cancer. (i.e, there was a time when nobody had proved that such a link existed but it was blatantly obvious that one actually did).

Interestingly, the NHS website concentrates almost solely on a lack of fibre and makes no reference to the other factors suggested in your post:
http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Diverticular-disease-and-diverticulitis/Pages/Prevention.aspx

[Sqad]

\\\\Could I be correct in saying those are "shot gun" guesses and no one know how to prevent the disease.\\\\

EXACTLY.

[nohorn]

Thanks Buen & squad. I appreciate you taking time and your answers.

[Samuraisan]

I also had Diverticulitis. I had to have a colon resection, not very nice. I always had what I considered a good diet, except for my teens when I lived a wild life, as most young people not living at home do. I think one contributing factor to avert it is never to get constipated.

[Sqad]

I think we have to be clear here:

Diverticulosis is NOT a disease and is totally symptomless, consisting of little pouches in the colon, usually pelvic colon.

If these pouches become packed with faeces and become inflamed, then and only then does one develop the painful and distressing condition of diverticulitis.

[Boto]

A lady I know always used to say that she had diverticula disease and NOT diverticulitis - her condition was much worse! Is there any difference?

[Mamyalynne]

Diverticular Disease and Diverticulosis are one and the same, as Sqad says it become 'itis' when an inflammation occurs and that is when symptoms kick in.



My Mother was a sufferer..

[boxtops]

Looks like she was wrong, boto, it's the other way round - the inflammation is the more serious condition http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/Diverticular-disease-and-diverticulitis/Pages/Introduction.aspx

[Boto]

Thanks, I had better not let her know that!