Although the symptom can cause considerable pain and discomfort, it does not damage the digestive tract as diseases do. Also, irritable bowel syndrome does not lead to more serious digestive diseases later. Dietary fiber may lessen IBS symptoms in many cases. Whole grain breads and cereals, beans, fruits and vegetables are good sources of fiber. Before changing your diet, keep a journal noting which foods seem to cause distress.
Diverticulosis is an uncommon and serious problem.
Actually, the majority of Americans over age 60 have diverticulosis, but only a small percentage have symptoms or complications. These tend to appear and increase in number with age. Most people do not have symptoms and would not know that they had diverticula unless X-ray or intestinal examination was done. Doctors believe a low-fiber diet is the main cause of diverticular disease. The disease was first noticed in the United States in the early 1900, at about the same time processed foods were introduced the American diet.