Diverticulitis and Bowel Movements

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Risk Factors

In one observational study, patients with constipation were not directly related to diverticulosis. Patients who had more frequent bowel movements developed a greater risk for diverticulitis (Sames, 1970).

The risk of developing diverticulitis increases with age. Changes related to age, like a weakened elasticity of the colon wall contribute to formation of diverticula.

In countries where a high fiber diet is common, the rate of diverticulitis is drastically lower than countries with more processed food choices and lower fiber intake. Industrialized countries tend to have a diet high in refined carbohydrates, and lower in fiber. Fiber helps keep the stool soft and from getting impacted in the colon walls. An increasing number of patients with diverticulitis occurred after the development of steel rolling mills. The content of fiber in flour and other grains was greatly lowered by these mills (Andeweg, Peters, Bleichrodt & Goor, 2008).

A lack of exercise has been said to be associated with greater numbers of patients with the formation of diverticulitis, though the reasons are unknown. Obesity also plays a role in the development of diverticulitis and diverticular bleeding. Cigarette smokers are also at higher risk of forming diverticulitis (Strate, Liu, Aldoori, Syngal, & Giovannucci, 2009).

Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs), including aspirin, have been associated with diverticular complications. A study had been created to test the influence of the NSAIDs and aspirin use in correlation with the risks of diverticulitis and diverticular bleeding. The study concluded that regular use of aspirin or NSAIDs is in fact associated with the increased risk of diverticulitis and diverticular bleedi...

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...different therapeutic strategies in preventing diverticulitis recurrence. European Review for Medical and Pharmacological Sciences, 17, 342-8. PMID: 23426537

Van de Wall, B., Draaisma, W., Consten, E., van der Graaf, Y., Otten, M., de Wit, A., van Stel, H., Gerhards, M., Wiezer, M., Cense, H., Stockmann, H., Leijtens, J., Zimmerman, D., Belger, E., Wagensveld, B., Sonneveld, E., Prins, H., Coene, P., Karsten, T., Klaase, J., Muller, M., Crolla, R., Broeders, I.(2010). Direct trial. Diverticulitis recurrences or continuing symptoms: Operative versus conservative Treatment. A multicenter randomized clinical trial. BMC surgery, 10(25), http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2482/10/25 PMID: 20691040

Vermeulen, J., van der Harst, E., Lange, J. (2010). Pathophysiology and prevention of diverticulitis and perforation. The Jornal of Medicine, 68(10), 303-9. PMID: 21071775

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