Alcohol | Diverticulitis

Alcohol

In the development of diverticulitis, increasing age, little physical activity and high meat consumption are possible risk factors. Alcohol, on the other hand, is not currently considered a particular risk factor for the development of diverticulitis. However, a permanent overconsumption of alcoholic beverages (chronic alcohol abuse) can attack and damage the intestinal mucosa.

Many patients also wonder how they should proceed with drinking alcohol after the diagnosis of diverticulitis. In addition to a well-tolerated, light and fibre-rich diet (pulses, wholemeal products, unpeeled cereals and unpeeled fruit), avoiding coffee, caffeinated drinks and alcohol is an important therapeutic measure for diverticulitis. Avoiding many hard to digest foods and alcohol often leads to an improvement of the symptoms after a few days, as the intestines can calm down and heal the inflammation.

Prophylaxis

Prophylaxis can be taken in so far as one takes fibre-rich food. A high-fiber diet is achieved by eating lots of fruit, vegetables, wholemeal products, legumes and sunflower seeds. Natural rice also falls into this category.

A healthy and balanced diet also includes sufficient fluid intake. An adult should drink about two to three liters per day. Unfortunately, the instability of the muscular intestinal wall with increasing age cannot be influenced.

Prognosis

Acute diverticulitis is easily treated with medication and usually resolves quickly. However, the cause, namely the formation of diverticula in general, cannot be treated with medication. In general it can be said that the age of the first disease plays a role.

The earlier the diverticula cause symptoms, the earlier the need for surgery. Even if inflammations occur more frequently, the intestinal lumen (intestinal tube) narrows and surgery becomes necessary. This operation – like all other operations – is naturally associated with certain risks. Infections, bleeding or injury to neighbouring organs are possible.