Diverticular Colitis - Eat Your Veggies

[tex]

After reading Luce's comments and questions, in response to my report on "what was removed from my gut", I decided to research the issue a bit, and low and behold, it appears that the cause of my blockage, that prompted the need for emergency surgery, has a name--diverticular colitis. Here is a good, brief definition of diverticular colitis:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/quer ... t=Abstract


Here is a quote from another reference site, that pretty well sums up my situation:

"The natural history of diverticular colitis is incompletely understood. One report suggested that affected patients appear to be at increased risk for complications related to diverticulosis (such as the development of a stricture) that may ultimately require a sigmoid resection [4]. Case series have suggested that some patients eventually develop more classic features of either ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease. However, in most patients the disease appears to be distinct from inflammatory bowel disease, a point illustrated in a report of 25 patients of whom 23 remained free of Crohn's disease during a median of six year follow-up [1]."

That quote comes from this site:

http://patients.uptodate.com/topic.asp? ... rticulitis

Note that the discussion does not mention MC, but that is not surprising, since virtually anytime that IBD is mentioned, typically, only ulcerative colitis, and/or Crohn's diseae, are included in the discussion.

Note that when I had my last colonoscopy, a few months over 5 years ago, there was evidence of some degree of diverticulosis, but no evidence of any serious presence, nor any reason to suspect that major problems might develop. Also, as far as I am aware, I have never had an episode of diverticulitis, (acute inflammation of one or more diverticula).

This site has a good comprehensive discussion of colonic diverticular disease, in general:

http://www.clevelandclinicmeded.com/dis ... olonic.htm

This site mentions that fiber in the diet is beneficial in helping to prevent development of diverticulosis. I have little doubt that lack of fiber in my diet most certainly contributed to my diverticular problems.

When I was trying to fine tune my diet, to try to keep from getting sick so often, since most fruits and vegetables caused reactions, I simply cut them all out of my diet.

That strategy allowed me to live with a minimum of digestive system problems, until this diverticular colitis issue got out of hand, and suddenly it was time to pay the piper.

Do I think that a low fiber diet, (virtually a no fiber diet, in my case), caused me to end up in the ER, headed for emergency surgery? Well, looking back at what happened, it would be difficult to conclude otherwise.

Do I think that MC contributes to diverticular disease, or vice versa? I suspect that there might be a link, but obviously, the dominant influence is going to be orchestrated by the ways that MC alters the processes by which our digestive systems work, and by the ways that it tends to cause us to modify our diets. Even if we don't modify our diets, it alters the way that our digestive systems handle the things that we eat, and the ways that nutrients are utilized.

Consider these two quotes, from the last reference cited:

"Thereby fiber decreases the frequency of contractions and prevents exaggerated form of segmentation."

"Therefore, a fiber-deficient diet increases the chances of intense, more frequent segmentation, thus predisposing to herniation of mucosa by allowing isolated increases of intraluminal pressure."

That describes why increased fiber in the diet, helps prevent the development of diverticula, (diverticula are simply mucosal hernias, that push through the wall of the colon). The site gives a very good discussion of the mechanism by which this takes place, by the way.

It seems to me to be a logical extension of that line of reasoning, to suggest that the increased motility, volitility, spasms, etc., that are symptomatic of an MC reaction, are also very likely to encourage the development of colonic diverticula. From that point of view, I would have to say that we are all probably at an increased risk of the development of diverticula, when compared with the general population. At least that's the way I see it.

I'm not trying to frighten anyone here. Please bear in mind that I am probably an extreme case. As is almost always the case, moderation is probably the key to good health, even with MC.

Love,
Wayne

[hazel]

Interesting!

[artteacher]

Thanks for the excellent research, Wayne. If I could only get my husband to eat vegetables. He thinks corn satisfies all his vegetational requirements. Love, youknowwho

[Peggy]

Well, another point to ponder re this dang disease.

To eat the fruits and veggies, or not to eat the fruits and veggies...that is the question!

I've decided to go back on Entocort short-term and may very well reincorporate the fruits and veggies I have chosen to avoid lately.

Thanks for the research Tex.

Hugz,

[Jean]

Wayne,

When I had my colonoscopy, I was first told that I had diverticulitis. I kind of assumed that the doc was wrong when the biopsy came back with LC as the diagnosis. Guess I have both.

I hope that you can tolerate veggies now. I kind of think that your problem with them stemmed from the growth. Have you tried any yet? Of us MI'ers, you seemed to be the only one that had problems with salads and such. I never could figure out why you differed in that respect.

Love, Jean

[tex]

Yes, I'm eating veggies daily, now. I'm also eating a frozen banana, and a raw apple, (peeled), most days. Today, I ate a raw pear. So far, so good.

I was under the impression that several of us had a problem with lettuce, at least until our guts had sufficient time to heal, (like several years).

Love,
Wayne

[m]

Yes, I have problems with lettuce and raw veggies. I eat a low veggie diet too. I do eat apples, bananas, rice bran and dates almost every day. Does that count?

Tex, I can't tell you how happy I am about your diagnosis. Not that having extreme diverticulitis is any picnic; what I mean is I'm so glad it wasn't malignant.

m

[Polly]

Well, this is verrrry interesting! Especially the association with IBD. We continue to learn so much here on this board. Although I'm sorry you had to be our guinea pig of sorts in this case, tex. LOL! Let us know as you learn more about this form of colitis. Just as you theorized, I wouldn't be surprised if others here might have/develop the same problem - especially those with diagnosed diverticulitis.

Love,

Polly

[tex]

Melissa,

Sure that counts. Any type of fruit fiber should work just as well as vegetable fiber, and the rice bran should be a good source of fiber, also.

Love,
Wayne

[Jean]

Wayne,

As soon as my D went away when I went gluten free, about a month, I was able to tolerate lettuce and ANY fruit or veggie.

m,

The rice bran would do me in!

Jean

[Mars]

During my colonoscopy in which they diagnosed my CC, I also was told I had diverticulitus and IBD (because of the inflamation & spasms). Don't know if you can have both CC and IBD but that was the diagnosis.

I notice that when I eat popcorn, nuts, strawberries, and even cucumber I tend to cramp more after eating. I'm sure that is due to the diverticulitus.

I also notice that eating some fruits (apples/grapes/plums) and veggies (mainly lettuce & green peppers) I tend to spasm and have terrible cramps. I don't digest them very well either. That goes for mushrooms too.

[m]

Jean,
The rice bran I eat is in the Tinkyada pasta. It says on the package that it has it. ??? I also eat tons of almonds, probably a bag a week so I should be good and cleaned out. My trip to the ER in August ruled out diverticulitis via CT and my original colonoscopy didn't show it but my mom had it so maybe I'm doomed.
m

[JJ]

Oh my....fresh veggies and lettuce gave me really bad D before I started on the Entocort....yikes...hope those days don't return! JJ

[Lucy]

Be sure to include soluble fiber along with the insoluble. In the past, I remember being able to locate an extensive list of solubles if you're looking for variety.

Seems to me that a number of us a while back answered affirmatively to having some abdominal left-lower quadrant tenderness to palpation and even a slight pinching sensation without palpation there sometimes. Prior to colonoscopy, the GI who prodded around on my tummy suggested that that was most likely a diverticulum, and lo and behold, that's what showed up on the colonoscopy.

Wow, I'm having a cramp now on the OUTSIDE of my right ankle. Gunna take a calcium tablet to see if that helps. What next!!!

Good research as usual, Wayne. Thanks!Yours, Luce

[MaggieRedwings]

Hi Wayne,

Any another great reason for veganism. Just joking.

Hopefully with the amount of veggies I eat this will never occur.

Keep eating your veggies - you will make me proud.

Love, Maggie