The DU Lounge

first, let me say I have no medical training, and nothing I say should be relied upon over the advice of a gut specialist who has knowledge of one's individual case.

Diverticulosis is simply the observation that the colon has pockets or bulges (diverticula) that should not be there. The colon is not ruptured or perforated. This is often noticed during routine colonoscopy, and in my experience, doctors tend to dismiss this as being normal. They might make some generic observations, like, "eat more greens", but nothing particularly helpful, at least in my case.

Diverticulitis is the more severe situation where those pockets develop infections, and this can quickly escalate to a life-threatening level. There are other similar conditions such a as Crohn's and colitis that have received more attention from the medical community, but diverticulosis doesn't really have a constituency or funding. For example, just 15-20 years ago, there was a strong belief in the medical mainstream that diverticulosis escalated to diverticulitis when seeds ( tomato, sesame, whatever) got lodged in the diverticula. But this is no longer a mainstream view.

Here is my theory. There may be many things the bring on diverticulosis, including genetic disposition. But I think it is highly possible that people develop diverticulosis if they tend to have hard stools that require a lot of strain to pass the stool. I believe that straining on a regular basis is a likely culprit in the formation of those pockets of weakness. If a person finds they have to strain often, I would take action. Stool softener pills are cheap and gentle. Psyllium products like Metamucil work wonders. People joke about prunes, but they really are helpful. And apples or dried fruit like apricots or mangos. I like ginger chunks for a little snack. And hydrate. These things are all easy to do and there is no downside, IMHO. It may avoid a really serious disease later.

To everyone's good health in 2026 ...