I know it's not contagious, but listen to this!

It's funny you should say that all 5 of my children have had colonoscopy due to problems none diagnosed with DD but 3 with IBS now my 36 year old daughter is having leftsided pain told her to tell GP

Hi

Well you'll be able to point him to this Forum and give him loads of help!  I think a lot has to do with the Western diet with it's lack of fibre, high fat and meat content, and lots of processed foods.  But not always, as I've always loved and eaten loads of fresh fruit and veggies. 

But the one thing that struck me on my visits to the USA was the lovely quality of the fruit and veg in the supermarket, and the total lack of it in the restaurants/food outlets.  It was all fast food and grease.  When I asked for veggies I was offered Mac 'n Cheese or mayonnaise smothered potatoes!  When I asked for salad, I got lettuce, with all sorts of meats, cheeses, fat laden dressings and if I was lucky, a token slice of tomato or cucumber!  Does this sound familiar.  Even the soups were laden with cream.  As an avid watcher of Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, it was what I expected, and got!

Joking aside, does the diet your son follows sound high in meat and fat, but low in fibre and fresh fruit/veggies?  If it is he may need to adjust his lifestyle, and at 36 he is young enough to make significant improvements to his long term health.  You can help and support each other.  By the way, some people I understand are actually born with diverticula, and more than half the people over 50 have them, all without any problems whatsoever.  Best wishes to you both.

Ah S'cat - so sorry for him - what a pain. Both my parents had it so I'm believeing there could be a genetic tendency to it - but of course the other thing is you're son's diet would have been influnenced by your own so both nature and nurture are at play probably.

I'm on the case of my two boys big time to change their diets and get up close and personal with vegi !

All the best 

James