Ten percent of people over 40 years of age have diverticulosis, a condition in which small pouches form in the lining of the colon, according to the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse. The likelihood of developing the condition increases as you age -- by 60 years old, about 50 percent of people have diverticulosis. If diverticulosis worsens and the pouches become infected, the condition is called diverticulitis.
Effects
If you have diverticulosis, you might experience discomfort or pain in the lower abdomen as well as constipation or bloating, but most people experience no symptoms at all. If diverticulitis develops, you might experience abdominal pain, especially in the lower left side of the abdomen. Typically, the pain is sudden and severe, but it also can worsen progressively over several days. Other symptoms include nausea, vomiting, cramping, fever, change in bowel habits and chills.
Cause
The exact cause of diverticular disease is not known, but the dominant theory in the medical community is that a low-fiber diet is to blame, according to NDDIC. People who have low-fiber diets have an increased likelihood of constipation, which results in difficulty passing stools. The continual strain this places on the digestive system might cause weak spots to develop in the walls of the digestive tract. The weak spots eventually become pouches, which can become inflamed and infected unless proper steps are taken.
Fiber and Digestion
High-fiber diets include plenty of fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Your body can't digest the fiber it obtains from these foods, but fiber plays an important role in aiding digestion. There are two categories of fiber: soluble and insoluble. Soluble fiber -- which you get from such foods as peas, beans, apples, oats and barley -- becomes gel-like when it's dissolved in water.
Insoluble Fiber Benefits
Insoluble fiber comes from such foods as wheat bran, nuts, whole-wheat flour and many vegetables. Insoluble fiber changes little during the digestive process. Instead, it adds bulk to your stool and eases its passage through your digestive system. Therefore, a diet that is high in insoluble fiber might decrease the risk of developing diverticulosis and diverticulitis, as well as alleviate their symptoms, because your body doesn't need to strain as much to pass stools.
Considerations
The exact amount of fiber you should have in your diet depends on the severity of your symptoms, so you'll need to discuss your options with your doctor. Possible treatments for diverticulitis include oral antibiotics, bed rest, pain relievers and a liquid diet. In some cases, you might need to allow your colon to rest by eliminating high-fiber from your diet until your doctor gives you permission to add it back in gradually.
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