Alcohol, smoking, and a sedentary lifestyle may lead to Diverticulitis

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), Diverticular disease is more common among older adults. Around 30 percent of people aged 60 and above have Diverticula, small pouches that form in the walls of the digestive tract, particularly the large intestine and this rises to 60–70 per cent in those aged 80 and older.

Older adults with low-fibre diets, constipation, overweight, smoking, alcohol or unhealthy habits are at higher risk of diverticulosis, which can lead to diverticulitis if inflamed. Credit: Pexels by Jeshoots

Key Points

• According to Dr. Belinda Lorenzo, a GP in Sydney, as we age, the walls of the large intestine can weaken, leading to the formation of small pouches on its surface a condition known as diverticulosis.
• Diverticulosis often cause no symptoms, but if they become inflamed or infected, the condition can develop into diverticulitis.
• The risk of Diverticulosis is higher in people with a low-fibre diet, frequent constipation, aging, being overweight, smoking, lack of exercise, or regular use of certain medications, such as anti-inflammatory pain relievers.

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Alcohol, smoking, and a sedentary lifestyle may lead to Diverticulitis

SBS Filipino

07:17Filipino

Older adults are at higher risk of diverticulosis, especially with low-fibre diets, constipation, smoking, alcohol, overweight, lack of exercise, or certain medications. If the pouches become inflamed or infected, it can develop into diverticulitis.

Dr Belinda Lorenzo, General Practitioner Sydney Australia

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