Simple Basic Facts On Acute Diverticulitis
Acute Diverticulitis is known to be a rather uncomfortable condition where the diverticula, which are small bag like objects, extend beyond the layers of the intestinal walls. This includes the soft muscles at the colon openings.
When these diverticula form, they usually become infected. In the most instances fecal matter that passes through the intestines are assembled and accumulates on the inside of the diverticula which leads to obstruction and infection.
When the occurrence of Diverticulitis is persistent it is referred to as acute Diverticulitis. When a person suffers from acute Diverticulitis, it is commonly found that the lining of the colon are narrowed by scar tissue caused by the constant infection of the diverticula. This can result in considerable difficulty with defecation due to the obstruction this scar tissue is causing.
Acute Diverticulitis is more common amongst people over the age of 40 years and up to sixty percent of patients suffering from acute Diverticulitis are older than sixty. Research also confirmed that persons reaching the age of eighty five are likely to have experienced some of the symptoms of acute Diverticulitis.
High occurrence levels amongst elderly patients are due to the structural collagen changes in the body tissue due to the normal aging process, which leads to the deterioration of the wall structure of the colon. This fact alone puts elderly people in a higher risk category.
Interestingly and fortunately for those who are affected by Diverticulitis, more than eighty percent of persons who have this condition will not suffer from any symptoms. It is estimated that only up to four percent of people diagnosed with Diverticulitis’s condition will progress to a state of acute Diverticulitis. Of that mere four percent, only up to twenty percent of them will need surgery to successfully deal with acute Diverticulitis.
Some other interesting facts that have been confirmed by proper research are that genetics can have an influence on the appearance of acute Diverticulitis in people and there is a huge possibility that it can be hereditary. However, it is confirmed as well that the type of diet a person follows are much more important and can play a huge part on the prevention of Diverticulitis.
There are no differentiation between the occurrences amongst men and women. The conclusion can therefore be made that gender has no part to play in this condition.
Another interesting fact that have been discovered is that acute Diverticulitis transpires way more frequent amongst people in developed countries in the West than other parts of the world.
The most amazing fact on Diverticulitis is sure the location of the disorder. It has been established that in seventy percent of all reported acute Diverticulitis, the diagnosis is made on the left lower side of the abdomen. However when Diverticulitis is diagnosed with Asian patients, more than seventy five percent of diagnosis are made on the opposite right hand side of the patient!
With all the above taken into account it is clear that the levels of intensity of this ailment varies and not all patients suffering from it will even know or be diagnosed with it.
Captivatingly it is found that our diets are the main culprits as well as the cure to this very uncomfortable condition. The main reason for the development of Diverticulitis is due to a diet lacking of sufficient fiber. In our modern way of living this is not suppose to come as a surprise if we look at the large volumes of super refined food we consume daily. Alternatively, people who are obese or experience constipation are also more likely to have Diverticulitis.
When one starts to draw a conclusion on all the given facts, it is clear that one can overturn the situation or even prevent it by gradually incorporate more healthy fiber in our diets and make effort to maintain healthy fiber levels in our daily diet.
Filed under: Diverticulosis/Diverticulitis
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