Causes of Diverticulitis

Diverticulitis is a common disease that affects the digestive system of a person. And the number of cases of this disease seems to be increasing thru the years. Others suggest that this disease typically followed industrialization. With the many developments in science and technology and the popularity of processed food and fast foods, diverticulitis seems to be rising. So in order to address and manage this disease, a fundamental change is needed in food choices and the food that people eat. 

Others have thought that this disease emerged and became common in Western countries when milling became popular in many countries especially in the US. The milling of the grains actually strips out the valuable fiber from these food items and as such milled products contain little fiber content. And based on research this was linked to the shortage in fiber diets of the population and led as well to the development of this disease.

There are actually many causes of diverticulitis and diet is just part of the equation. This medical condition actually follows a condition in the body called diverticulosis. Diverticulosis actually happens to older people. This disease tends to be popular for those aged 60 and over. And past this age, around half of the population has this disease. Diverticulosis is that condition where the patient will experience the formation of the small pouches in his intestinal tracts. The pouches that will form are known as the diverticula. Technically these formations that are known as diverticula are harmless and ordinary people will not even know that they have these small pouches. But the moment these small pouches become inflamed and infected, then the person will experience pain in the abdominal region. A small percentage of people with diverticulosis will develop diverticulitis and most of the time this will be mild and can be treated with rest and a change in diet.

Aside from this inflammation of the diverticula in the digestive tract of the person, there are other causes of this disease as well that needs to be identified and understood. These other causes include a colonic spasm that usually increase with pressure and this can be due to dehydration, on low fiber diet or due to constipation. A person may also develop this condition depending on some risk factors. One risk factor as mentioned is the diet of the person. A person who has a diet that features a low fiber diet and a high fat diet will certainly open himself to this disease. Increasing age is a risk factor as well, and constipating conditions on the person will cause the disease as well.

Another well-known cause of diverticulitis is when there will be connective tissue disorders. Connective tissue disorders may also cause the weakness in the colon walls and may also lead to the Marfan syndrome. This disease is typically common in well-developed countries like Britain and the US where low fiber diets are common for the population. The disease is rare in Asia and Africa where people eat high fiber foods.