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