The diverticulitis diverticulosis flip flop. There is a reason, for the wide variation of symptoms of diverticulosis cases that I have seen first hand. The mere presence of a little sac in the wall of the colon by itself does not give rise to diverticulosis symptoms. However, should a hard particle, such as a seed, small spicule of bone or a hard fecal mass fall into this pouch, a certain amount of irritation occurs and this leads to inflammation. The use of harsh cathartics, or of enemas, given under excessive pressure, tend to further irritate. Straining at stool or even strenuous exertion may aggravate the condition. In fact, anything that increases pressure in the abdomen tends to make the condition worse. It is then that the the flip-flop to diverticulitis from diverticulosis happens, because diverticulosis becomes inflamed and acquires the degree of itis—in other words, diverticulosis becomes the disease, diverticulitis.
That the condition can become complicated by the addition of inflammation is definitely the case. About one quarter of all those who have diverticulosis sooner or later develop diverticulitis.
Duties of a Diverticulosis Patient
- Avoid food that may deposit seeds and other hard particles in the “pockets,” such as figs, raisins, strawberries, tomatoes, etc.
- Also avoid eating things with hard particles in them, such as cracked wheat or oatmeal, the husks of which sometimes are to be found in the food.
- Avoid gas-generating foods such as cabbage, cauliflower, and Brussels sprouts. Avoid carbonated waters, soda pop, vichy, seltzer, etc. In this way you avoid the danger that comes with distention of the intestines.
- Avoid constipation which creates pressure in the intestinal canal. For the relief of such constipation as does occur, do not take cathartics or high colonic irrigations. Instead, take a plain, tepid water enema under low pressure. This will accomplish all that the others hope to do.
To be sure of avoiding cancer, have periodic examinations by your physician and by a qualified specialist in rectal and colonic ailments. This must include instrumental examination of the bowel.
