Diverticulitis happens when pouches called diverticula grow in the colon and get inflamed. About 80% of patients with diverticulitis have what is called “uncomplicated” diverticulitis. This means that the symptoms aren’t very bad and usually go away with therapy. But some patients with diverticulitis can have problems, such as having stool leak into the stomach, which can lead to sepsis.
A new study in BMJ Journals says that several habits can minimize the incidence of diverticulitis. Researchers explicitly named five things that could help counteract a genetic tendency for the intestinal problem, such as consuming more fiber and exercising more.
“Genetics have been thought to be a risk factor for diverticulitis, but lifestyle risk factors increase the risk of diverticulitis no matter what your genes are,” said Pratima Dibba, MD, a board-certified gastroenterologist at Medical Offices of Manhattan who wasn’t involved in the study. She said that the study “reinforces previously identified potential lifestyle risk factors for diverticulitis.” Gain an understanding of these five essential habits. Read the article.
