5 Habits That Could Dramatically Lower Your Risk of Diverticulitis

Certain lifestyle habits are linked to a lower risk of diverticulitis, according to a new study. Researchers specifically identified five factors– eat more fibers to do more exercise –This can help compensate for a genetic predisposition in the digestive state.

“While genetics has been theorized as a risk factor in diverticulitis, the risk factors of lifestyle contribute to the risk of diverticulitis, whatever the genetic predisposition,” said Pratima Dibba, MD, a gastroenterologist certified by the board of directors with Manhattan medical offices which was not involved in research.

The study “provides strengthening risk factors for potential lifestyle previously identified for diverticulitis,” she said Health.

Here is what you need to know about diverticulitis, the risk factors identified and how to reduce your chances of developing this potentially painful condition.

Diverticulitis occurs when The pockets called diviticles form in the colon and become inflamed. The condition can cause symptoms like:

• Stomach pain
• Fever
• Low appetite
• Nausea
• Changes in intestinal habits

For around 80% of people with diverticulitis, the condition is considered to be “simple”, which means that it does not cause more symptoms and is generally resolved with treatment. But some people with diverticulitis may undergo complications, such as stool leak into the stomach, which can cause sepsis.

About 200,000 people are hospitalized in the United States each year due to diverticulitisBy making one of the most common gastrointestinal conditions leading to admissions to the hospital and to the visits to the emergency services, noted the authors of the study. Although the disease mainly affects older adults, rates in young people are increasing.

Scientists have long believed that genetics and lifestyle factors contribute to the risk of diverticulitis, but the way in which healthy habits can alleviate a genetic predisposition has not been clear.

To explore this, researchers have analyzed decades of data from nearly 180,000 people in three major research programs involving health professionals.

They have developed rating systems that considered genetic sensitivity and five major life risk factors previously linked to diverticulitis:

• Obesity
• Smoking
• Physical inactivity
• A low fiber diet
• High consumption of red or transformed meat

Analysis, published online on July 1 in the journal Intestine, confirmed that these lifestyle factors were strongly associated with an increased risk of diverticulitis, regardless of the genetic risk of a person.

People who have eaten more red meat or who are currently smoking had a risk at around 10%, former smokers had a risk approximately 17% higher, and a BMI of at least 25 increased the chances of about a third.

On the other hand, higher fiber and physical activity consumption levels were linked to a risk of 14% and 16%, respectively.

Overall, participants without any risk factor were 50% less likely to obtain a diagnosis than those who have them all.

“We have also validated our results in a separate cohort, the Southern Community Cohort Study, where two thirds of the participants were non -Hispanic blacks,” said Wenjie MA, MD, SCD, principal author and assistant professor of medicine at the Massachusetts General Hospital, said Health.

Although you cannot change your genes, Understanding your genetic predisposition to diverticulitis can help you better manage and assess your risk.

Lifestyle factors can influence the risk of diverticulitis by promoting inflammation and disturbing metabolic health and the intestinal microbiome, said MA.

“For example, obesity, in particular abdominal fat, is well linked to higher levels of systemic inflammation and changes in the intestinal microbiota, which can both contribute to the development of diverticulitis,” she said.

Sufficient consumption of fibers can also increase the production of short chain fatty acids in the intestine, which have anti-inflammatory properties.

That’s why eat fiber -rich foodsAs raspberries and lenses is essential to reduce your risk of diverticulitis, experts said. Avoid smoking and limiting red and transformed meat are also recommended, with do regular exercise: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advise adults to obtain at least 150 minutes of moderate intensity or 75 minutes of vigorous intensity cardio per week, the more strength training for two days or more.

While taking certain drugs, such as steroids, anti-inflammatory drugs, hormone therapy and opiates, can increase your risk of diverticulitis, experts advise to speak to your doctor before stopping to take prescribed medications.