Diverticulitis
What can be done to prevent the disease?
The key is to prevent the diverticulosis from developing. Eating
a diet high in fiber
and low in dietary fat
is thought to decrease the risk of diverticulosis. Once diverticula form, there
are no other ways known to prevent the disease.
What are the long-term effects of the disease?
Most people will recover without long-term health effects. However,
because diverticulosis still exists, the disease can occur again. If it happens
many times, surgery may be needed to remove part of the colon.
Severe cases may also lead to other serious complications, such as:
developing a hole in the bowel
abdominal infections such as peritonitis
life-threatening blood infections known as sepsis
blockage of the bowel
Death may also occur.
What are the risks to others?
The disease is not catching and poses no risk to others.
|
Previous section
