Family Casebook: Diverticular Disease

Nov 23 2008 Dr Gareth Smith

AS we get older many of us will develop diverticular disease, mainly due to having a diet which is low in fibre.

Diverticulae are small pouches that form in the colon due to sluggish bowels.

These often lie dormant but occasionally they can become blocked with bowel contents causing irritation, inflammation and pain.

If the inflammation becomes severe it is called diverticulitis and may mean an admission to hospital.

Diverticulitis can cause tears in the bowel, perforation, bleeding or blockages.

If you have diverticular disease you should eat a highfibre diet but avoid foods such as popcorn, sesame seeds, pumpkin seeds and nuts as they can get caught in the diverticulae, causing irritation.

Surgery is only necessary in very rare cases.