Exercising causing diverticulitis?

I have never heard of this. I am speculating that we all have different triggers. I rarely exercise due to laziness.

In an ideal world we would find the notion that exercise is bad for us rather counter intuitive!  But diverticular disease seems to get a hold on the smooth muscle tracts (eg the colon) and it strikes me that it's like a herniation of the colon walls, by causing them to go soggy and lose their elasticity - becoming plastic and not recovering their original tubular shape again in the short term, perhaps.  Therefore, strenuous exercise is probably too much for these compromised tracts?  If they have lost elasticity then sudden wrenching is possibly going to cause compression throughout the abdomen.  It seems very likely that this won't help the chronic nature of diverticulosis.  I must say - that at 56 years - I limit my exercise to fast walking a few times a week (3 to 4 miles each time) and I think that avoids undue compression of the abdoman but still gives all the aerobic benefit of increased pulse rate etc. 

I can therefore see that in a compromised gut, something like a rowing machine (for example) could be a very bad idea - because no amount of exercise of the 'abs' will tone-up the muscularity of the 'pipework' within, surely? 

Gentle exercise for cardiovascular maintenance is probably the regime that I will maintain from mid-50s onwards.  That and weekly Bisacodyl keeps me out of A&E - so far, anyway.

Cheers,

Pete.

I am going to use the excuse now that the reason I don't exercise is because it might cause a flare of DD.

This is an interesting discussion to me because I had the same question, sort of.  I went to a chiropractor wondering whether (some of) my abdominal pain is due to my diver or whether it is referred pain due to degeneration in my lower back.  Turns out it's muscular, in particular the psoas muscle and some other muscle (ileo something) just above it that attaches to it.  I've felt the discomfort start up mid-way through a 2 mile walk and when I bend over to pick something up off the floor.  One time I lifted something fairly heavy and had a shooting (and screaming) pain, but it went away right away. 

This is making it very difficult to figure out what's what because some discomfort may be wrong food.  When the chiro was poking around she found that these muscles are very tight and we are going to work on loosening them up and strengthening my core muscles (whichever ones they are) because I have been using the wrong muscles to support my back.  This should be about a six week endeavor at which point, hopefully, the muscle pain will be taken care of and the back well-supported, leaving any other pain to be gas or rot in the diverticuli.

One thing I noticed when I had my first diver pain was the chills; a sign to me that I'm coming down with something.  I never had a fever, or bleeding.  And since I started watching my diet and taking various natural remedies (probiotics, slippery elm, DGL, Vitamin D) I've just had discomfort on and off, and no chills or fever.

I'm going to see my gut doctor this week and will ask about exercise, particularly crunches, rowing machines,  bicycling.  What Pete says makes sense to me.  Why stress out a system that's in trouble?  But, when I told my chiro that I was really concerned about her poking around, she said that the poking was nowhere near as stressful to the gut as a bowel movement.  So keep things soft and easy to move.

I'll let you know what the doc says.

Carol      P.S.  Where's my name at the top of this message?  Did I do something wrong?

I have literally just been diagnosed with diverticular disease after 5 years of being treated with Lanzoprasole for acid reflux, anyhow I have been told by my consultant beware of constipation this will cause flare up and no exercise I assume for the same reason and this is really what I wanted to get back to.  I have been told to increase my fibre intake gradually and the doctor told me to remember everything above the ground is fibre any under the grown is carbohydrates, so we will see.  But i am going to try using my bike (indoor one) and see how I get on.

I can understand the weight frustration I have over the last couple of years put on weight and am more than frustrated by it, so today the bike starts and for the next few days then I will gradually include other exercises being careful with the stretch side of things can only see how it goes

Thanks. I notice that when I do the leg stretch using a stretchy band it feels weird in my gut so I thought I'd ask if anyone else has the problem. The pain then goes on all day and I'm on paracetamol but it is exhausting and a hot water bottle also helps until I e slept..., sometimes a little brandy and soda water helps ease the tension in my gut.

During the last two years you may have figured out your routine. For me,

I find it is easy to overlook the initial symptoms of a flare up. The

Inflammation can take several weeks to bloom into a full blown attack. It's during these times my exercise can definitely push my diverticulosis over the edge. As soon as I realize I am having a flare up, I move to a liquid diet and major resting (no exercise). About a week later, I start walking. A week or two after all symptoms have subsided, I very gradually add to my exercise routine. For me I have found trying to rush back to quickly leads to relapse and more time off. Also, I can't find it in writing, but I'm convinced there is a link between stress, getting proper rest, and hormones cycles and flares. Anything that can knock down your immune system, can leave you susceptible to inflammation system wide and can lead into a flare.

I have always noticed this increased discomfort with weight lifting or vigorous exercise. I'm 73 and want to stay in shape but it is getting worse.

rest and a sedentary lifestyle seems to calm it down...or a half of colasipam, about 0.1 mg..I wonder if walking can be done with out to much irritation.

if it hurts a good nights rest see s to help

Hi Amandrose

yes the same with me start my running and sit ups weights and it starts the flare up

but it does bot state this in ant medical evidence ?