Diverticulosis question...

[Nataliekim]

On July 21, 2011! (but have been dealing with this for more than 16 years...)

So here's my question is it considered IBD or IBS or neither? I keep looking for "new" information on this. I keep coming to the same conclusion...there just isn't a lot of information out there! The big thing that is said over and over is EAT FIBER!!! Ok. Really?! I do! I eat all the stuff I can, all the stuff my tummy will let me. Berries, oranges, lettuces, celery, mango, pineapple, Potatoes, melons, broccoli, cauliflower.....and i juice even more than that (yes, I know the pulp gets thrown out when I juice). Then all these articles go on to say, limit red meat. I can't tell you how much chicken I eat! I keep poultry farmers in business.
Needless to say, I am more than a little frustrated with the information out there and I'm wondering if anyone can help me out?

Thanks,
Nat

 

[AndiGirl]

Hi Natalie, I have both CD and diverticulosis. I was told by my GI doctor that it tends to get lumped in with both diseases even though it's a class by itself. He also said that you can have diverticulosis without having CD, which is very common. It is more common to have diverticulosis when you have CD. I hope I'm making sense. The symptoms are quite similar when flaring up with either one. I'm at a disadvantage with the diverticulosis because fiberous foods really upset my CD.

 

[DustyKat]

A diverticulum is a pouch in the bowel wall.

Multiple pouches are called diverticula.

When you have these pouches the condition or diagnosis is diverticulosis.

Now when one or more of these pouches become inflamed it is an acute condition called diverticulitis.

Diverticulosis is neither IBS or IBD, it is a separate disease altogether. It can co exist with other bowel disorders though. It is not an uncommon disease in older people and the main train of thought is it is caused by a low fibre diet, hence the repeated call to eat a high fibre diet!

Dusty. xxx

 

[littlemissh]

The bowel is like a skirt with a lining. As the skirt gets a bit older and washed a few times the lining tend to become a bit longer than the skirt so hangs down.
The bowel is much the same - but instead of hanging out it ruffles up inside and causes pouches.. these can just sit there and do nothing but if they get blocked by constipation they can get inflamed and this is diverticulitis.
As dusty says the high fibre keeps the bowel moving which lessens the risks of the pouches getting blocked.
So diverticula are really just an anatomical description.

 

[Nataliekim]

Thank you everyone! It still remains frustrating. I can't tell u how much fiber I was eating before and at the time of flare, so I would stay regular. And indeed I was having diarrhea like stools from all the oranges. I guess I just need to wrap my head around the fact that this didn't happen over night, these pouches. And while I maybe making good choices for my body now, I'm also still paying for bad choices made. I have to also say, I'm a little flustered that fruit and veggie fiber just hasn't been enough, and I have to add in yucky supplements.
My body must think I am much older than I chronologically am... Old intestines...old joints too. My knees are saying it's time for me to go get its steroid shots!!

 

[DustyKat]

Research also points to Diverticular disease being hereditary so that may be in factor in your as well.

Are you on a high fibre diet now?

If you have IBD and Diverticulosis it is a bit like which came first, the chicken or the egg and on which do you place the most importance. A high fibre diet should reduce the risk of episodes of diverticulitis BUT a high fibre diet will aggravate your symptoms if you are flaring with IBD and do they then just set each other off.

It sounds as if you tend toward constipation, is that right? If you have IBD then that may well indicate narrowing due to either inflammation or scarring.

Do you have tests lined up?

Dusty. xxx