What is Diverticulitis? 5 Habits to Help You Lower It (Even If It Runs in Your Family)

Diverticulitis happens due to a tear in your colon wall, causing inflammation or infection. According to doctors, it is a serious form of disease, which happens due to the presence of pouches, leading to severe abdominal pain, fever, nausea, and changes in bowel habits. According to a new study, the condition, which can be hereditary, can be lowered with the help of a few lifestyle changes.

Researchers have specifically identified five factors, including eating more fibre and exercising more, to help offset a genetic predisposition to the digestive condition.

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Doctors say the condition happens when pouches – known as diverticula – form in the colon and become inflamed. Leading to severe symptoms like:

• Stomach pain
• High fever
• Low appetite
• Nausea and vomiting
• Changes in bowel habits

For more than 80 per cent of those with diverticulitis, the condition is considered “uncomplicated”, meaning it does not lead to concerning symptoms and can resolve with treatment. But some of those can experience complications, like having stool leak into the stomach, which results in sepsis – a life-threatening infection.

Diverticulitis is among the most common gastrointestinal conditions across the world, which causes a major number of hospital admissions and emergency department visits. While the disease mostly affects older adults, rates among younger people are steadily on the rise.

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Risk factors for diverticulitis

Even though it is well known that both genetics and lifestyle factors contribute to diverticulitis risk, how many healthy habits can mitigate a genetic predisposition has been unclear. To explore that, the study identified five major lifestyle risk factors previously linked to diverticulitis, regardless of a person’s genetic risk:

• Obesity
• Smoking
• Sedentary lifestyle
• Physical inactivity
• A low-fibre diet

Experts also believe that those who eat more red meat or currently smoke have roughly a 10 per cent heightened risk, former smokers had about a 17 per cent higher risk, and having a BMI of at least 25 upped the chances by about a third.

Overall, the study said that without any of the mentioned risk factors, there is around a 50 per cent lower chance of getting a diagnosis of this condition.

How do daily lifestyle habits matter?

Even though it is impossible to change your genes, understanding the genetic predisposition to diverticulitis can help you better manage and assess your risk.

Consuming enough fibre increases the production of short-chain fatty acids in your gut, which have anti-inflammatory properties. And so, it is important to eat fibre-rich foods like raspberries and lentils as a key to lowering your risk of diverticulitis.

Also, avoid smoking and limit red and processed meat, along with getting regular exercise. Experts recommend adults should get at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity cardio per week, plus strength training on two or more days. While taking certain medications, like steroids, anti-inflammatory medications, hormonal therapy, and opiates, may heighten your risk of diverticulitis, experts advise talking to your doctor before you stop taking any prescribed medications.