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Diverticulitis: inflamed diverticula, the sac-like outpouches of mucosa through the muscular layer of the bowel along the
GI tract (mainly in sigmoid colon)
• Manifestations:
o Abdominal pain (left lower quadrant)
o Nausea & vomiting
o Fever & chills
o Tachycardia
o Abdominal distention & bloating
o Abdominal tenderness
o Muscle spasms & cramping
o Guarded behavior
o Irritable bowelsyndrome (IBS)
o Fatigue
o Bloody stool
o Elevated WBC
o Decreased H&H
• Dietary Restrictions:
o low fiber intake (until inflammation resolves), then switch to high fiber
o Clear liquids
o Avoid alcohol
o Avoid seeds or indigestible material (i.e. nuts, corn, popcorn, cucumbers, tomatoes, figs, and
strawberries
Colorectal Cancer (CRC): cancer of the colon or rectum (i.e. large intestine)
• Screening:
o Beginning at age 40
o Fecal Occult Blood Testing (FOBT) annually
o Colonoscopy (Q10 years)
o Double-contrast barium enema (Q5 years)
o Sigmoidoscopy (Q5 years)
• Risk Factors:
o 50 years of age +
o Genetic predisposition (hereditary)
o Family history
o Familial Adenomatous Polyposis(FAP)
o Crohn’s disease
o Ulcerative colitis
o H. pylori, S. bovis, John Cunningham (JC) virus, and human papilloma virus (HPV) infections
o Smoking, obesity, inactivity, alcohol use
o High fat diet
o Refined carbs lacking fiber
Dehydration:
• Foods that induce urination/loss of fluid:
o Salt
o Caffeine (diuretic)
o Alcohol
o Diuretics
o Laxatives
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