What is diverticulosis, the gut condition that President Donald Trump was treated for?
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Gut health is often overlooked and rarely discussed, yet it plays a significant role in an individual's overall well-being.
A report released by the White House in April detailed President Donald Trump's health record. The report mentioned the 78-year-old President remained in excellent health, and also revealed his 'diverticulosis' condition. Gastroenterologists recommended that he should have a follow-up colonoscopy in 2027, according to the report.
What is diverticulosis?
According to NIH, diverticulosis is a clinical condition in which multiple sac-like protrusions also known as diverticula develop along the gastrointestinal tract.
These pouches which are usually harmless are formed often due to a weakening in the muscle layer. But in some cases, they can become inflamed or infected a condition known by the slightly different name of diverticulitis.
In situations like an individual developing an infection and it goes untreated for too long, it can lead to complications like sepsis.
According to Cleveland Clinic, researchers suspect that the leading cause of diverticulosis is diets that are low in plant fiber and high in processed starches. This diet contributes to dense food waste that moves sluggishly through our bowels and fails to sweep them clean on the way. The waste becomes more solid as it travels.
How is it diagnosed?
A routine colonoscopy or GI X-ray exam can help in diagnosing diverticulosis, as suggested by medical practitioners.
What are the symptoms?
Most people with diverticular disease don't experience symptoms. However, some may report pain or discomfort in the lower left side of the abdomen often worse after eating as well as bloating, diarrhoea or constipation. These symptoms can mimic other digestive disorders such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), making diagnosis more complex.
High-fibre diet is recommended for people who are diagnosed with the condition as fibre softens stools and makes them easier to pass, which helps reduce pressure in the colon and prevent constipation one of the known risk factors for diverticulitis. When stools are small and hard, they may become lodged in the diverticula, increasing the chance of inflammation or infection.
Health