There are some medical conditions that are more mysterious than others. This means that you need to be aware of your body and visit your doctor when the first sign of an abnormality is noticed. Diverticulitis is a condition that is caused by feces. This is not a pleasant condition and it can often be tricky to diagnose.
What Is Diverticulitis?
This condition develops over time when feces become lodged in pouches that line the walls along your large intestine. When the feces become lodged, this enable bacteria to begin to grow and this causes both infection and inflammation. The inflammation that is caused can then develop into pressure, which results in a minor tear on the intestine wall. This can lead to even more forms of infection throughout the body.
Why Does Diverticula Form?
The cause of the feces lodging in the pouches of the wall is not completely known. So far there has been no link found between the forming of diverticula and genetics. This means that diverticulitis is not really hereditary and this can’t be a cause for this condition. The most widely believed reason for the forming of diverticula can be linked to diet and pressure found within the colon.
Diet VS. Heredity
Your diet is what has been found to be the main cause of diverticulitis instead of heredity. If you have a healthy diet with substantial amounts of fiber, you most likely are not at risk of this condition. A diet high in fiber will result in stool that is bulkier and can move through the colon with ease. This will keep feces from becoming trapped and causing the condition of diverticulitis. However, if you have a diet that doesn’t have enough fiber, this requires you to use more force to pass smaller and hard stool. A diet that is low in fiber also leaves the stool in your bowel for longer periods of time. This means that diet often has the most to do with this condition.
Is Heredity Possible?
Since this condition is still somewhat of a mystery, the possibility of there being a genetic link to this condition is not completely ruled out. However, there is still no reason to believe that diverticulitis is hereditary. Diet is still the most likely explanation for this unique condition.
