Diverticulosis?

[gmn]

Had a colonoscopy done today for colorectal cx screening.  One small polyp found which the Doc assured appeared normal.  I did notice an annotation for Diverticulosis on the discharge sheet and since I was still groggy and so focused on the cx screening, didn't think much about it.  Anyone ever heard of this and or have any thoughts on what this is?

[aeroll]

i was taking daflon if bleeding occurs,,, it was given to me by my dr.  

[aeroll]

please help me im Aeroll Salcedo from philippines... i was admitted in the hospital 2 years ago due to bleeding diverticulosis now i had a problem because it was bleeding again everytime a take a pee...  somtimes i was just in front of my PC then i observe that there was blood in my shorts,,, god,, help me guys advise- email me bloody_keemo2004***@****

[Duchess47]

The trick is to try and have a regular balanced diet and not have constipation or diarrhea.  We all have these at one time  or another.  My son-in-law had no history of diverticulosis and developed a rapid onset of diverticulitis and ended up in the e.r.  Doctors have different views on treatment and prevention.  His doc. told him he could eat nuts, popcorn etc.  all of the things you hear to stay away from to prevent diverticulosis/itis.  The fiber makes sure you are regular and nothing is sticking to the walls of your colon to create those little bulges that can get inflamed or infected. Most people over 45 have diverticulosis it's just a part of life, but will never have diverticulitis.  I myself have IBS with diverticulosis and gastroparesis.  For IBS high fiber diet is recommened and for gastroparesis a no fiber diet is recommended. Go figure.

[crystaly]

Just goes to show what  impact some illness have on individuals. I don't eat super high fibre food. I just make sure I eat fruit, vegetables and drink a lot of water. Perhaps as the specialist said your mums diet had too much fibre. Really good point you made there . Like a lot of things moderation is probably the key to a healthy diet.
Glad to hear your mums ok anyway. Take care Chris

[boninclyde]

My mom was just treated for it. She eats lots of fruits,  veggies, vitamins, oatmeals, soy products and special drinks she gets at health food stores. She eats little meats. Doctors told her she was on a to high fiber diet and she needed something solid in her stools. Anyway she got off of some of these products and now its no longer inflammed.

[crystaly]

Hi Apologies for the short description earlier Glad2bamom is perfectly right in what she says.The net can scare the life out of you . You can actually be born with diverticul as I was its reported to be a congenital condition.   The majority of people do not have any real problems with diverticui (pouches) It is generally advised that you eat plenty of fibre and drink plenty of water . If you do have a problem with infections etc. antibiotics usually clear it up and surgery is the last resort. Good Luck and Take Care.

[glad2bamom]

How old are you?  Diverticulosis is "typically" found in older patients, like Crystaly said.  However, it does not limit itself to that age group.  I am 33, and had to undergo a Colonoscopy b/c of suspected diverticulosis.  
Diverticulosis is more prevalent here in the US where we eat foods that are low-fiber, and more processed.  The lining of the colon becomes weaker, and small protrusions, like marble sized pouches, jut out from the lining of the colon.  The condition of having these pouches is called Diverticulosis.  
When a piece of food, a seed, or even fecal matter get trapped inside these pouches and become lodged there, it becomes infected.  Oftentimes, the symptoms are abdominal pain, fever, tenderness and blood in the stool.  The condition of the pouches being infected is called Diverticulitis.

Some people with diverticulosis never have a flare up.  Others will have 1 flare up, still others will have pain regularly, and have to closely watch their diet.  I agree with the above poster that your doc should give you info on this condition, if it is confirmed.  But, it is treatable, mostly by diet.  If a pouch becomes infected, they will treat with anti-biotics, and eating a bland diet to give the colon time to rest.

You should find a wealth of info online, but here's a warning...don't let the info you read scare you.  As I was researching, I had myself dying by the end of the day!!!  In some cases, after all other measures have failed, and after SEVERE infection...sometimes, on occasion, blah blah blah...surgery can correct the problem.  

Just don't be alarmed by what you read.  Consult your doc or nurse, and they can set your mind at ease.  If it wasn't substantial enough for them to talk with you, I'm sure you don't have reason to be overly alarmed right now.  Just find out the things you can do to avoid the flare-up.

Good luck...and sorry this was so long...I just recently went through this myself about 1 month ago.

[boninclyde]

A high fiber diet can also cause diverticulititus.

[crystaly]

Hi Bonnie Ive never heard of that one. I was born with Meckels diverticuli (multiple) had some removed at 22 yrs. I was always advised to eat plenty fruit , veg etc and drink plenty of water. . Ive never had a problem with the other diverticuli since then. Have you read some new research which suggests a different diet?  Chris

[Thuney]

Your GI who did this should give some instructions (diet or something) on it, I would think.  But there is a lot of info out the net about it.

[crystaly]

Hi Basically its small pouches which form in the colon . They often cause no problem unless they become infected (its called diverticulitus)then you need antibiotics to treat the infection.  Some individuals can actually be born with them as I was or they develop as you get older. Hope this helps. Chris