Diverticulosis occurs when small pouches (diverticula) develop in the digestive tract. It is also called diverticular disease. The name comes from the Latin language which refers to a pouch or pocket. These (more than one can form) happen in the bowels. The pouches can pose problems for our digestion. It can also lead to infection and inflammation in our bowels. When this condition begins to interfere with your normal daily living then this condition is referred to as “Diverticular Disease.”
How does diverticulosis happen?
As a person gets old, many organs like the skin get weak, lose elasticity and begin to sag. The same happens to a person’s bowel walls. Many years of stretching and straining (as the person relieves himself in the toilet) takes a toll on many areas of the bowel walls. This usually happens to the colon which is where the feces get collected before being expelled in the toilet.
The weak spots in the wall colon have a thin layer. These are in between the thicker parts with muscle layers. When the person does his toilet, the thicker muscle layers strains and pulls on the weaker spots. These weak areas finally tire and bulge out. Pockets or “pouches” are formed. Because of this, the waste products from digestion can get trapped inside the pouches. It usually happens especially if the food being digested is very fatty and sticky to the bowel walls. This is called diverticulosis. It is accepted as a normal part of growing old. It is quite common for people over the age of 70.
This process is accelerated and worsens if the body lacks the needed vitamins and minerals needed to produce strong tissues. In that case, the body produces weak tissues when it replaces old cells. However: supplying the body with the needed ingredient allows it to replace weak tissues with a stronger ones – bringing the person to his age state.
Things that can complicate the Diverticulosis
However, those who eat more fast food and have an unhealthy lifestyle can have more of these pouches than a healthier person. Being obese or very overweight is another risk to worsen it. When diverticulosis begins to affect a person’s way of life, the condition is called diverticular disease.
What about Diverticulitis?
Diverticulosis can become “diverticulitis.” The bad harmful bacteria begin to multiply in the fecal wastes trapped within the ‘pouches’. An infection then happens which leads to inflammation.
