Diverticular disease is common and so is the misunderstanding regarding the difference between diverticulosis and diverticulitis. Diverticulitis is an infected diverticulum and requires treatment such as a liquid diet and antibiotics. Diverticulosis is a structural finding and as such causes no symptoms.
Diverticulitis can recur and patients often ask whether it can be prevented. Typical recommendations are to maintain a high fiber diet, avoid constipation, and minimize NSAIDs, but are there lifestyle changes that could decrease diverticulitis attacks?
Data suggests that maintaining a healthy BMI (18-25), eating red meat less than 4 times per week, exercising 2 hours per week, consuming 23g of fiber per day, and smoking cessation can all lower the risk of recurrent diverticulitis. Make changes to improve overall health and you might also decrease the likelihood of developing recurrent diverticulitis.