Two of the most common colon (large intestine) conditions are diverticulosis and diverticulitis. The first one means that small pouches have formed in the wall of the bowel. When infection or inflammation develops in these pouches, then diverticulitis is present.
Too many Americans eat a diet that is high in fat and low in fiber. This pattern of eating can produce an unhealthy colon. When there is not enough fiber and water in the diet, the muscles of the colon work overtime to squeeze hard stool through the passageway. Pressure builds up, causing the lining of the colon to bulge through the muscle layers. Pouches or bubbles called diverticuli are formed, most commonly in the lower left part of the colon (the sigmoid).
Most Americans will end up with at least some diverticuli (tics) by the time they are in their 80s. Tics may just be there, found only on colon tests such as barium enemas or colonoscopies, or they may cause cramping, bloating or belching.
Interestingly, as we travel to third-world countries doing mission work, we do not see diverticular disease. It seems to be peculiar to the western world, which consumes a diet very laden with processed foods and low fiber.
Sometimes the tics may become infected or inflamed, perhaps because bacteria-laden stool gets stuck in them. Symptoms include pain, fever and chills. It is even possible for a tic to rupture resulting in peritonitis, where the entire abdominal cavity becomes infected.
Once you have tics, they will always stay there. To keep symptoms from progressing, a diet with adequate water and fiber is essential. Fiber can be found in regular foods (brown bread, brown rice, raw fruits and vegetables), natural fiber supplements such as Miller's bran or over-the-counter commercial products. (Metamucil, FiberAll and Citrucel are just a few types available).
When infection occurs, oral antibiotics and a liquid diet are the first treatment. More severe infections demand hospitalization, nothing to eat or drink and intravenous antibiotics. If a person develops a perforation of a tic, an abscess or a fistula (connection between two structures), then surgery may be needed.
The goal is to treat the problem before any of these complications set in since surgery often involves creation of a temporary colostomy (an opening on the abdominal wall for the bowel to exit. Stool is then collected in a bag attached to the skin.) This is always a scary thought for patients, but having a colostomy can be a life-saving procedure in certain conditions. The colostomy used in diverticulitis can be put back together a few months after all symptoms are gone.
Keeping your colon healthy is a life-long endeavor. A person requires about 300 grams of fiber and eight, 8-ounce glasses of water each day to maintain a well-functioning colon. The nice thing is that this same diet is really good for your overall health as well.
Although you may not pay attention to the health of your colon, just experience not having it work correctly for a time. That will easily convince you of the benefit of taking good care of your large intestine as well as the rest of your body.
Dr. Deborah Geer is a general surgeon with a special interest in breast surgery. Reach her at 253-4536.
Most Americans will end up with at least some diverticuli (tics) by the time they are in their 80s. Tics may just be there, found only on colon tests such as barium enemas or colonoscopies, or they may cause cramping, bloating or belching.
Interestingly, as we travel to third-world countries doing mission work, we do not see diverticular disease. It seems to be peculiar to the western world, which consumes a diet very laden with processed foods and low fiber.
Sometimes the tics may become infected or inflamed, perhaps because bacteria-laden stool gets stuck in them. Symptoms include pain, fever and chills. It is even possible for a tic to rupture resulting in peritonitis, where the entire abdominal cavity becomes infected.
Once you have tics, they will always stay there. To keep symptoms from progressing, a diet with adequate water and fiber is essential. Fiber can be found in regular foods (brown bread, brown rice, raw fruits and vegetables), natural fiber supplements such as Miller's bran or over-the-counter commercial products. (Metamucil, FiberAll and Citrucel are just a few types available).
When infection occurs, oral antibiotics and a liquid diet are the first treatment. More severe infections demand hospitalization, nothing to eat or drink and intravenous antibiotics. If a person develops a perforation of a tic, an abscess or a fistula (connection between two structures), then surgery may be needed.
The goal is to treat the problem before any of these complications set in since surgery often involves creation of a temporary colostomy (an opening on the abdominal wall for the bowel to exit. Stool is then collected in a bag attached to the skin.) This is always a scary thought for patients, but having a colostomy can be a life-saving procedure in certain conditions. The colostomy used in diverticulitis can be put back together a few months after all symptoms are gone.
Keeping your colon healthy is a life-long endeavor. A person requires about 300 grams of fiber and eight, 8-ounce glasses of water each day to maintain a well-functioning colon. The nice thing is that this same diet is really good for your overall health as well.
Although you may not pay attention to the health of your colon, just experience not having it work correctly for a time. That will easily convince you of the benefit of taking good care of your large intestine as well as the rest of your body.
Dr. Deborah Geer is a general surgeon with a special interest in breast surgery. Reach her at 253-4536.
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