There are many different diseases and conditions which people may face as they go through life. Some receive a lot of attention like cancer or diabetes. Others are more obscure and don’t get the same amount of attention. However, the attention a condition gets in the media or in discussion doesn’t matter when it comes to someone who has gotten it. Diverticulosis is one such condition that does not get a lot of attention.
There are many people who may suffer from diverticulosis. Many don’t know they have it immediately. Diverticulosis is caused when the inner layer of a person’s intestine pushes through into the outer layer of that intestine. It will create pouches throughout the intestine.
Unfortunately, there is not a concrete cause for diverticulosis. Rather than a cause, it’s important to know about the various risk factors that might indicate someone is at risk of diverticulosis. Originally, most doctors thought it was originally caused by a lack of fiber in a person’s diet. However, studies have shown this link to not actually exist. Eating habits are still something a doctor needs to know about when diagnosing diverticulosis however.
The major risk factor for people is aging. It’s very rare for people under the age of 30, but becomes increasingly common as a person ages. In addition, it does seem to be men that are more at risk. While not conclusively proven yet, it does appear that genetic factors may cause people to suffer from diverticulosis. If people within a family have it, it’s good for other family members to keep an eye out.
When it comes to symptoms of diverticulosis, often people have no idea about them. It’s common for there to be absolutely no symptoms. For those who have no symptoms, it’s likely that they will only find out about diverticulosis when a doctor is testing for other ailments or issues. This kind of random discovery is difficult and unfortunate. However, there are some people who may suffer symptoms. These symptoms are:
When it comes to treatment options, it’s possible that a doctor may keep things low key. The goal is keeping pockets from becoming infected and inflamed. This can be known as diverticular disease and bleeding. In order to avoid this issue, many doctors may choose a high fiber option. It can be a supplement, or merely changing your diet.
For people with really bad symptoms, doctors may choose medications which will work to alleviate the pain or discomfort of those symptoms. There are a variety of pills or options they may choose. Only a doctor can know the exact needs of their patient and get them exactly what they need.
Avoiding diverticulosis entirely seems to be becoming more difficult. While there’s better detection, it does seem to be far more common. Doctors are working on a theory that modern food and diets are the cause. It’s best to try and eat a healthy diet while avoiding problems like obesity and smoking.
