Diverticulosis
Stomach problems are one of the most prevalent health problems occurring in the United States today. In fact, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the number of Americans who see their doctors for digestive diseases each year is an estimated 50 million, and diverticulosis is just one of those digestive disorders. Additionally, the Mayo Clinic reports that diverticulosis is a very common digestive disorder for Americans over the age of 40. The fact is, however, that diverticulosis can affect anyone. In addition, gastroenterology doctors in Queens and throughout the country are diagnosing and treating more digestive disorders today than ever in the United States, largely due to the modern American diet.
Definition
Diverticulosis occurs when small, bulging pouches known as 'diverticula' develop in the digestive tract, most commonly in the large intestine, otherwise known as the sigmoid colon. Diverticulosis can cause pain, although sometimes it comes with no symptoms whatsoever. When these small pouches, however, become inflamed or infected, this condition is called 'diverticulitis.' Diverticulitis a serious gastrointestinal disease that can cause abdominal cramping, diarrhea, constipation, abscess, pelvic infection, and bleeding in the colon. If inflamed diverticula are left untreated, they can lead to bladder infections and even more serious conditions such as peritonitis, a disease that causes swelling of the membrane forming the abdominal cavity.
Causes and risk factors
As with many diseases, especially digestive diseases, age can be a factor. Diet is another major factor in the development of diverticulosis. A diet low in fiber that lacks proper nutrients and roughage is a major concern and factor in diverticulosis as well as diverticulitis. Hereditary predisposition is also a factor. If someone in your family suffers from a digestive disorder such as diverticulosis, this can increase your risk of developing the same or similar disease. Additionally, diseases such as Ehlers Danlos Syndrome, which is a connective tissue disorder, can also be a factor because they cause colon wall weakness. It should be noted, however, that according to a 2012 study in the journal Gastroenterology, a high-fiber diet actually is associated with greater prevalence of diverticulosis. Research on this and other digestive disorders continues.
Symptoms
As mentioned above, diverticulosis often does not cause any symptoms at all. Some people, however, do report symptoms of abdominal bloating, cramping, flatulence, and irregularity. It should be noted that it is unclear if these patients who experience such symptoms are actually feeling symptoms of diverticulosis, or if it is their IBS (irritable bowel syndrome) causing their pain and discomfort.
Some patients with diverticulosis do, over time, develop diverticulitis, a more serious digestive disorder. Or, they may develop a dangerous disease called 'complicated colonic diverticulosis.' Though rare, if complicated colonic diverticulosis does develop, it can be extremely dangerous and should be treated promptly. In this case, diverticula may bleed. If there is a slow bleed, this could lead to anemia. If there is a more rapid bleed, this can be detected as a bleed through the rectum.
Diagnosis
Diagnosis of diverticulosis and associated digestive disorders needs to be done under a doctor's care. Your doctor may recommend tests to pinpoint the cause of these and other digestive symptoms. Such tests may include endoscopy procedure, barium enema x-ray, or colonoscopy, which is a colon cancer screening.
Prevention and management
According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), seeds such as sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, and caraway seeds are problematic for people who have, or are prone to developing, digestive disorders. Many doctors recommend avoidance of other foods such as corn and fried foods as well.
If you're experiencing any digestive symptoms such as bloating, cramping, constipation, flatulence, or irregularity, your doctor may recommend tests to diagnose what is causing these symptoms. Undergoing a regular colon cancer screening is recommended, especially for people over the age of 50. An endoscopy procedure or a colonoscopy is a good way to detect a number of digestive disorders, including diverticulosis as well as diverticulitis. A gastroenterology doctor in Queens can recommend and perform all the necessary tests to determine what is causing your symptoms, as well as if further treatment is required. A gastroenterology doctor can also recommend preventive measures for those whose heredity makes them predisposed to disorders of the digestive tract.
Definition
Diverticulosis occurs when small, bulging pouches known as 'diverticula' develop in the digestive tract, most commonly in the large intestine, otherwise known as the sigmoid colon. Diverticulosis can cause pain, although sometimes it comes with no symptoms whatsoever. When these small pouches, however, become inflamed or infected, this condition is called 'diverticulitis.' Diverticulitis a serious gastrointestinal disease that can cause abdominal cramping, diarrhea, constipation, abscess, pelvic infection, and bleeding in the colon. If inflamed diverticula are left untreated, they can lead to bladder infections and even more serious conditions such as peritonitis, a disease that causes swelling of the membrane forming the abdominal cavity.
Causes and risk factors
As with many diseases, especially digestive diseases, age can be a factor. Diet is another major factor in the development of diverticulosis. A diet low in fiber that lacks proper nutrients and roughage is a major concern and factor in diverticulosis as well as diverticulitis. Hereditary predisposition is also a factor. If someone in your family suffers from a digestive disorder such as diverticulosis, this can increase your risk of developing the same or similar disease. Additionally, diseases such as Ehlers Danlos Syndrome, which is a connective tissue disorder, can also be a factor because they cause colon wall weakness. It should be noted, however, that according to a 2012 study in the journal Gastroenterology, a high-fiber diet actually is associated with greater prevalence of diverticulosis. Research on this and other digestive disorders continues.
Symptoms
As mentioned above, diverticulosis often does not cause any symptoms at all. Some people, however, do report symptoms of abdominal bloating, cramping, flatulence, and irregularity. It should be noted that it is unclear if these patients who experience such symptoms are actually feeling symptoms of diverticulosis, or if it is their IBS (irritable bowel syndrome) causing their pain and discomfort.
Some patients with diverticulosis do, over time, develop diverticulitis, a more serious digestive disorder. Or, they may develop a dangerous disease called 'complicated colonic diverticulosis.' Though rare, if complicated colonic diverticulosis does develop, it can be extremely dangerous and should be treated promptly. In this case, diverticula may bleed. If there is a slow bleed, this could lead to anemia. If there is a more rapid bleed, this can be detected as a bleed through the rectum.
Diagnosis
Diagnosis of diverticulosis and associated digestive disorders needs to be done under a doctor's care. Your doctor may recommend tests to pinpoint the cause of these and other digestive symptoms. Such tests may include endoscopy procedure, barium enema x-ray, or colonoscopy, which is a colon cancer screening.
Prevention and management
According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), seeds such as sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, and caraway seeds are problematic for people who have, or are prone to developing, digestive disorders. Many doctors recommend avoidance of other foods such as corn and fried foods as well.
If you're experiencing any digestive symptoms such as bloating, cramping, constipation, flatulence, or irregularity, your doctor may recommend tests to diagnose what is causing these symptoms. Undergoing a regular colon cancer screening is recommended, especially for people over the age of 50. An endoscopy procedure or a colonoscopy is a good way to detect a number of digestive disorders, including diverticulosis as well as diverticulitis. A gastroenterology doctor in Queens can recommend and perform all the necessary tests to determine what is causing your symptoms, as well as if further treatment is required. A gastroenterology doctor can also recommend preventive measures for those whose heredity makes them predisposed to disorders of the digestive tract.