Diverticulosis
All content is checked by medical journalists.Diverticulosis is the name for a very specific change in the intestine: protuberances, so-called diverticula, form in the intestinal wall. These are neither painful nor dangerous in themselves, but they can become infected, injured and bleed. The finding “diverticulosis” initially only means that there are several diverticula. Read the most important facts about diverticulosis here.
ICD codes for this disease: ICD codes are internationally recognized codes for medical diagnoses. They can be found, for example, in doctor's letters or on certificates of incapacity for work. K57
Diverticulosis: description
Diverticula in the area of the large intestine are among the diseases of civilization in western countries today.Doctors assume that the increasingly fiber-poor diet in particular plays an important role in diverticulosis: Too little fiber ensures a hard and firm stool, which for most of those affected initially manifests itself in frequent constipation. The internal pressure in the intestine is increased so that over the years it can happen that the intestinal mucous membrane bulges outwards in certain places. This happens more often in older people, because the connective tissue of the intestines is no longer as strong in them. It is also the case that diverticulosis is particularly common in old age - around two thirds of people over the age of 70 have diverticula in the intestinal mucosa. However, in the last few decades there has also been an increasing tendency for young people to develop diverticulosis.
Doctors basically differentiate between two forms of diverticulum:
- The most common form of so-called false diverticula or pseudodiverticulum. These account for up to 90 percent of diverticulosis cases in Germany. Here, the intestinal mucosa everts itself through a tiny gap in the muscular intestinal wall. Often at these points blood vessels pass through the intestinal wall and supply the intestine with blood.
- True diverticula in which the muscle wall of the intestine also bulges outwards are rarer. These diverticula are more common congenital than dietary and are more common in people in Asia.
While true diverticula usually occur in the ascending area of the large intestine (ascending colon), the much more common false diverticula in Europe form predominantly in the descending colon (descending colon) and the adjoining, S-shaped transition to the rectum (sigma or sigmoid colon). .
Diverticulosis: symptoms and diagnosis
With diverticulosis, symptoms such as pain and indigestion are usually absent for a long time. The diverticula themselves are not painful. However, depending on their number, size and location, they can lead to irritable bowel-like symptoms over time:
- Stool irregularities
- constipation
- diarrhea
- slight pain in the left lower abdomen
However, if symptoms such as severe pain, blood in the stool or persistent constipation occur with known diverticulosis, this is usually a sign of inflammation (diverticulitis), an injured diverticulum or other complications.
Diverticulosis often remains undetected and symptom-free (asymptomatic) for a long time and is an incidental finding, for example during a colonoscopy. The doctor can usually see the diverticula very well and make the correct diagnosis on an X-ray with contrast agent in the intestine.
Diverticulosis: Diet with fiber is the best therapy
In most cases, diverticulosis results from a low-fiber diet, too little fluid and / or a lack of exercise. All of these are factors that favor constipation and, in the long term, also promote diverticulum formation. In addition, with diverticulosis certain nutritional errors also lead to complications such as diverticulitis or bleeding of the diverticula more easily.
Those who manage to change their diet and other lifestyle habits with an existing diverticulosis can usually expect a good prognosis. Most importantly:
- A fiber-rich diet: Fruits, vegetables and products made from whole grains are ideal sources of fiber. In addition, concentrated sources of fiber such as oat bran or ground flaxseed can be helpful.
- More exercise: Daily walks and regular endurance training (e.g. jogging, swimming) support bowel activity.
- Drink plenty: At least two liters of water or tea a day ensure that the stool remains "supple" and counteract diverticula.
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