Can diverticulitis be caused by alcohol?
As someone who spends their fair share of time on the internet, I’ve seen a lot of misinformation floating around about diverticulitis. And let me tell you, it’s not always pretty. But one question that keeps popping up is whether or not alcohol can cause diverticulitis. So let’s just cut to the chase here: Can it? The short answer is… maybe.
What Is Diverticulitis?
Before we dive into the nitty-gritty details about alcohol and diverticulitis, let’s first make sure we’re all on the same page with what exactly diverticulitis even is. Diverticula are small bulging pockets that can develop in your digestive system—usually in your large intestine—and they’re more common as you get older (and wiser).
When these pockets become inflamed or infected, it’s known as diverticulitis. Symptoms can range from mild discomfort and constipation to fever and intense abdominal pain (which nobody wants)
The Lowdown on Alcohol
Now that we know what we’re dealing with here, let’s talk about how alcohol fits into this whole situation. First off, it’s important to understand that heavy drinking may contribute to several gastrointestinal issues – including some which are labeled under “Alcohol-related liver disease (ARLD),” such as fatty liver disease and cirrhosis.
However when looking at specifically if drinking caused diverticular illness there isn’t clear evidence proving so completely but ultimately both excessive alcohol consumption besides smoking cigarettes could increase inflammation inside the colon wall permeate making fighting infections harder leaving most susceptible individuals vulnerable towards developing symptoms related towards Diverticular illness.
So let’s break down why…
Excessive Drinking Leads To Inflammation
Drinking has been shown to cause inflammation throughout the body—including in the gut. We know that inflammation is a major culprit when it comes to diverticulitis, so it’s not too much of a stretch to say that alcohol might contribute to the condition (even though we love our wine).
Alcohol Affects Bowel Movements
Another possibility – excessive drinking affects bowel movements which can cause some complications including straining and constipation. If you’re predisposed or already dealing with diverticular illness , then straining during bowel movements may irritate or worsen existing symptoms towards exacerbating the disease
Other Risk Factors for Diverticulitis
Of course, there are other factors aside from just your drinking habits that could put you at risk for developing diverticulitis:
- Age: As mentioned earlier, age is definitely a factor in developing this condition
- Diet: Diets high in fat, low in fiber and lacking fruits/veggies
- Genetics: Kinda luck of the draw here
- Lack of exercise: Getting up every once and awhile never hurt anyone
- Medical conditions such as IBD (Inflammatory Bowel Disease) & hernias
So… Can Drinking Cause Diverticulitis?
Overall, heavy drinking isn’t going to be THE one thing that causes an individual’s onset towards all Diverticular illnesses but yes; if someone has been prone previously alcoholic/massive sprees go ahead and suspect potential issues down the line.
So what does all this mean? In conclusion… moderation may be key when it comes to responsibly enjoying alcohol throughout life. Does 100% proof exist stating definitively whether excess booze leads directly towards flat out causing Someone’s onset regarding having either form(s) relating back toward Diverticula/disease manifestation? NOPE! However taking precaution through getting quality restorative processes can help get insides into gear whenever minimal flare-up occurs especially at early stages before amateur remedies become hack ways to deal with illness beyond return.
Remember; too much of something isn’t always that great so roll back at those drinking habits before going overboard, thanks…