Role of Dietary Habits in the Prevention of Diverticular Disease Complications: A Systematic Review

Healthy dietary patterns and the risk of individual chronic diseases in community-dwelling adults

It is unclear regarding associations of dietary patterns with a wide range of chronic diseases and which dietary score is more predictive of major chronic diseases. Using the UK Biobank, we examine associations of four individual healthy dietary scores with the risk of 48 individual chronic diseases. Higher Alternate Mediterranean Diet score is associated with a lower risk of 32 (all 8 cardiometabolic disorders, 3 out of 10 types of cancers, 7 out of 10 psychological/neurological disorders, 5 out of 6 digestive disorders, and 9 out of 14 other chronic diseases). Alternate Healthy Eating Index-2010 and Healthful Plant-based Diet Index are inversely associated with the risk of 29 and 23 individual chronic diseases, respectively. A higher Anti-Empirical Dietary Inflammatory Index is associated with a lower risk of 14 individual chronic diseases and a higher incidence of two diseases. Our findings support dietary guidelines for the prevention of most chronic diseases.

Nutritional Pearls and Pitfalls of Gastrointestinal Diseases

Since ancient times, food has been considered a possible therapy for treating a wide range of diseases [...].

Integrative Therapies for Diverticulitis Related to Alcohol Abuse: A Case Report

Background

Alcohol use is prevalent and may be a risk factor for diverticulitis. Therapeutic interventions that support the elimination of addictive behaviors and reduce disease progression include diet, supplement, and psychosocial interventions.

Case Presentation

This case report highlights a client with successful treatment of abscess, bowel blockage, and inflammation in a 54-yr-old Caucasian male using medical nutrition therapy while continuing conventional treatment as prescribed by his medical provider. Over the course of 85 days, his treatment was augmented with a high-phytonutrient, high-fiber, Mediterranean style diet. Alcohol was eliminated, caloric intake was increased, while emotional support, physical activity, and a multivitamin were added. Upon final follow-up, the client had a remarkable reduction in symptoms and addictive behaviors.

Conclusion

Diet, supplement, and psychosocial interventions may be useful in the management of inebriate patients with diverticulitis. Population-based clinical studies should be done to understand the role of these therapies.

Diverticular disease, diverticulitis and the impact on continence

Diverticulosis and the subsequent progression to diverticular disease and diverticulitis is becoming more prevalent in western countries. The cause for this progression is not known. Diverticulitis is a significant health burden - both financially to healthcare systems, and to the patients it affects in terms of morbidity. There is a dearth of research pertaining to diverticulitis and its impact on continence. This article examines the parallels between irritable bowel syndrome and diverticular disease, which have many symptom similarities, the overlap between the conditions, and the impact on continence. Current studies regarding the role of fibre in managing diverticular disease are also discussed.

Diverticular Disease—An Updated Management Review

Diverticular disease is highly prevalent in the Western world, placing an increased burden on healthcare systems. This review clarifies the consensus in the literature on the disease’s classification, etiology, and management. Diverticular disease, caused by sac-like protrusions of colonic mucosa through the muscular colonic wall, has a varied disease course. Multiple theories contribute to our understanding of the etiology of the disease, with pathogenesis affected by age, diet, environmental conditions, lifestyle, the microbiome, genetics, and motility. The subtypes of diverticular disease in this review include symptomatic uncomplicated diverticular disease, segmental colitis associated with diverticulosis, and uncomplicated and complicated diverticulitis. We discuss emerging treatments and outline management options, such as supportive care, conservative management with or without antibiotics, and surgical intervention.