Hi Lanclass
My friend has diverticular disease, it's a condition affecting the large bowel or colon, and believed to be the result of too little fibre in the diet.
Eating a diet very low in fibre creates the ideal conditions for constipation to develop. Now i can tell you that when this happens, the pressure in the large part of the gut increases, which forces small parts of the gut lining outwards through the muscles surrounding the gut. This causes the lining to form small balloon like pouches or sacs ,hence the named diverticula.
When diverticula is not inflamed, symptoms tend to come and go. spasmodic cramping, abdominal pain, bloating and excessive wind are common. It is better to increase the amount of fibre in your diet and avoid anything that has seeds in it as these can't digest very well and tend to cause blockages ,also spicy foods like curries are a bit too much for the bowel lining. Increasing your fluids such as water and diluted drinks rather than fizzy drinks and avoid too much coffee and tea.Herbal teas such as peppermint tea is a recommended alternative usually you are prescribed antispasmodic medication ,antibiotics or laxatives and much needed dietary advice. Diverticulitis is often severe,treatment with antibiotics and fluids given through a drip is usually the procedure if it becomes unbearable and after you have followed all advice.I
My mate unfortunately had to be admitted to hospital in the end as her bowel was a bit perforated, it was obstructed and bleed heavily and an operation was needed to remove the obstruction.....HTH
