What You Should Know About Diverticulosis
Have diverticulosis? Need a Rego Park gastroenterologist? Diverticulosis is a condition in which there are small pouches in the wall or 
lining of any part of the gastrointestinal tract. With a team of expert gastroenterologists, Queens Boulevard Endoscopy Center (located in Rego Park, NY) offers screening, diagnosis, and treatments for digestive disorders. Read on to learn more about diverticulosis.
Causes of Diverticulosis
Most doctors believe diverticulosis is caused by a low fiber intake. A diet that is low in fiber leads to constipation, which increases abdominal pressure which leads to straining during bowel movements. The combination of pressure and straining over time likely leads to diverticulosis.
Symptoms of Diverticulosis
Many people who have diverticulosis are unaware that they have it because it doesn't usually cause symptoms. The symptoms of diverticulosis can include abdominal cramps, bloating, diarrhea, or constipation due to difficulty in passing stools through the affected region of the colon.
Diagnosis of Diverticulosis
Because most individuals don't have symptoms, diverticulosis is often found during a screening examination for another condition. Your doctor can see the diverticula in the colon during a procedure that uses a small camera attached to a lighted tube inserted through the rectum. Diverticulosis can also be seen by other imaging tests, including barium x-rays or computed tomography (CT) scan.
Treatment for Diverticulosis
Some patients with diverticulosis don't have symptoms, and therefore don't need treatment. When the condition is accompanied by pain, constipation, or bloating, your doctor may recommend a high-fiber diet or supplemental fiber products to help make stools soft and easier to pass. Your doctor may also prescribe medication to help relax spasms in the colon that cause abdominal pain.
If you think you may have diverticulosis, call Queens Boulevard Endoscopy Center at (718) 406-8000 to schedule an appointment in Rego Park, NY. Visit with one of our highly trained gastroenterologists and get expert advice and a treatment plan if needed. We want you to live your best possible life.
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