NUR 641E WK6 DQ1 Essay

The Pathophysiology of Diverticular Disease and Patient Education

Diverticular disease or diverticulitis (resulting from diverticulosis) is one of the most common gastrointestinal diseases that cause significant morbidity. It is characterised by outpouchings of the mucous membrane lining the gastrointestinal tract (Hammer & McPhee, 2018). This is a short discussion about its pathophysiology and patient education. NUR 641E WK6 DQ1 Essay

Pathophysiology of Diverticular Disease

The pathophysiology of diverticular disease revolves around a change in the normal flora of the gut and chronic inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract (Strate & Morris, 2019). A rise in the levels of histamine which has been associated with gastrointestinal inflammation has been shown to be involved in the pathophysiology of diverticular disease. Microscopic inflammation has also been shown in patients with the disease. When weak areas in the wall of the colon are overwhelmed, this also leads to development of the bulges or outpouchings known as diverticulosis. The other implicated factor in the pathogenesis of this disease is an alteration in the gut microbiota or normal flora. One of the causes for this is a lifestyle change in diet. The change in microbiota leads to inflammation of the gut mucosa and finally diverticulitis (Strate & Morris, 2019; Hammer & McPhee, 2018). NUR 641E WK6 DQ1 Essay

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Patient Education Related to Diverticular Disease

Since there is a strong indication that diet plays a major role in the pathogenesis of this disease, most of the education is about a lifestyle change with regard to diet. These changes will include:

• Engaging in regular physical exercise for not less than thirty minutes each time
• Eating a regular high-fibre diet such as whole grain with enough fruits and vegetables
• Stopping or avoiding the habit of cigarette smoking which is a risk factor
• Taking enough water daily, since fibre requires water to expand and provide bulk (Hammer & McPhee, 2018).

References

Hammer, D.G., & McPhee, S.J. (Eds). (2018). Pathophysiology of disease: An introduction to clinical medicine, 8^th ed. McGraw-Hill Education.

Strate, L.L., & Morris, A.M. (2019). Epidemiology, pathophysiology, and treatment of diverticulitis. Gastroenterology, 156(5), 1282-1298. http://dx.doi.org/10.1053/j.gastro.2018.12.033

NUR 641E WK6 DQ1 Essay