What Are the Main Diverticulitis Causes?

Diverticulitis is a disease that affects a person’s digestive system. It is a very common problem that can affect someone of any age but is more common in the elderly. Knowing what the diverticulitis causes are can help you prevent yourself from ever having to experience the dreaded symptoms of this extremely inconvenient and uncomfortable condition. Below are some of the main causes and how you can prevent them from affecting you.

What’s Diet Got to Do With It?

It is a well-known fact that diverticulitis is being diagnosed more and more as the average diet in North America gets less and less healthful. Of all the diverticulitis causes, this one certainly seems to be the most prevalent in our society. Diverticulitis affects the lower digestive system in your body — specifically, your colon. When you eat unhealthy foods each day, it can cause a build-up within your colon, which eventually leads to infection and inflammation. The majority of people do not get enough fiber in their diet and eat a lot of junk food. By changing that, you can greatly decrease your risk of being a diverticulitis-affected individual.

The best way to avoid having diet become a risk factor for you is for you to immediately opt for a healthier diet. Instead of eating fast food most nights or eating overly processed foods, it’s really important that you eat fresh and healthful foods. Fresh meat, vegetables, and especially grains can make all the difference when it comes to a healthy digestive system.

Inactivity as the Cause?

Diverticulitis is more likely to happen in older individuals and seems to be more prevalent in those who are 60 years of age or older. As we get older, our bodies slow down naturally and as we get sore in our old age, it is not as easy to just go out and get physical exercise. However, an active lifestyle is a huge contributing factor to improving your overall digestive health. One of the other main diverticulitis causes is inactivity.



Sitting around all day can lead to intestinal blockages, which will lead to the characteristic inflammation associated with diverticulitis. As you age, it’s even more important to get physical activity each day. Start by going for walks for 15 to 30 minutes each day. This will keep your blood flowing throughout your entire body and will improve the activity in your colon, preventing many of the diverticulitis causes.

Staying Healthy

No matter what the causes are for your diverticulitis, causes like the ones listed above are really easy to eliminate from your life as risk factors. Eating healthfully and exercising is the most important thing you can do for your overall health, and you will notice a major change in your energy level as well when you improve in these two areas. Take multivitamins and specifically increase your fiber intake. If you have diverticulitis already, you can lower the number of attacks you get, and if you don’t have it, you can protect yourself from ever suffering from it.

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