Diverticulitis Disease – Things You Need to Know

Diverticulitis disease is a very common disorder of the colon and intestines, but as common as it is, many people don’t know much about it. If you have just recently been diagnosed with it, you no doubt want to take some time to learn more about what the condition is, what the long-term prognosis is, and how you can manage your condition to ensure optimal long-term health. So what are some things you need to know about living with diverticulitis disease? Here are some important things to keep in mind:

  • What Is It? Many people who have one bout of illness from this disease will develop a chronic condition. Essentially, the condition results when one of the small protrusions in the intestines or colon becomes infected and inflamed. Symptoms can be pretty mild to very serious and may include pain, diarrhea, nausea, fever, rectal bleeding, and more. Initially, the condition is often treated with a liquid diet and antibiotics. Because it has the tendency to turn into a chronic or recurring condition, you certainly will want to consider making lifestyle changes to prevent recurring bouts of illness.
  • Lifestyle Changes. It is believed that diverticulitis disease is largely the result of constipation on a regular basis and that eating a high-fiber diet and controlling your constipation better will decrease bouts of this condition. You will want to gradually increase the fiber in your diet, either through fiber supplements or eating a more fiber-rich diet. Be careful not to increase the fiber in your diet too quickly or excess gas and pain can result. You will also want to increase your fluid intake, too, as this will also help to control constipation.



  • Recurring Episodes. Many people who suffer from diverticulitis disease on an ongoing basis can control their condition with a high-fiber diet, but others will require surgery. For some, surgery is an elective solution to prevent further recurrences. For others, it is a medical emergency that must be performed to prevent rupture of the intestines. Because of how serious this condition has the potential to become, you will want to work with your doctor with each bout you have and seek emergency medical attention for severe pain and other severe symptoms.

While diverticulitis disease can often be well-managed through a high-fiber, high-liquid intake diet, it is not a condition that you will want to take lightly. Some people will have just a single bout of it while others will struggle with it on a recurring basis. As with many health issues, education about the disease is your first step in understanding what you are dealing with, how best to manage the condition and its symptoms, and what other treatment options are available to you. You will want to work with your doctor to control and treat your disease as well as take time to self-educate yourself about lifestyle changes that you will want to make, too. While painful and sometimes serious, this condition can be treated and managed successfully.

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