Can Toddlers Get Uncomplicated Pancolonic Diverticular Disease?
I am asking this question, as I do wonder, if I’ve had the disease for many years, as I don’t feel any different now, to how I felt at 18, 30 or 50.
In my first couple of years of life, I was also a bad bed-wetter.
My mother cured me of this, by putting me in a small bed next to her’s and then getting me out of bed every time I woke. In the end her persistence paid off.
Since I’ve been diagnosed with uncomplicated pancolonic diverticular disease, I am certainly drinking a lot of fluids and gooing to the toilet a lot.
Although thankfully, I am not wetting the bed.
But, I do always sleep close to a toilet.
So I asked Google AI the question in the title of this post and received this answer in the form of this peer-reviewed paper, which was entitled Congenital Cecal Diverticulitis In A Pediatric Patient.
This is the abstract.
Diverticulitis in the pediatric population is a very rare cause of abdominal pain. When present in the cecum or ascending colon, it is often incorrectly diagnosed preoperatively as acute appendicitis. This is especially true in Western countries where right-sided diverticulitis is less common. Here we detail a case of a pediatric patient with complicated congenital cecal diverticulitis and review the literature on pertinent management. An extensive work up with imaging and endoscopy was completed and definitive surgical treatment with diverticulectomy an appendectomy was performed. As the incidence of diverticular disease in younger individuals increases, right sided diverticulitis is worthy of consideration on the differential diagnosis.
Note.
- I don’t remember being in any pain, but I was less than three, as this happened before my sister was born, when I was only 21 months old.
- I remember picking my sister up from hospital in my father’s Y-Type MG.
- My eldest son had appendicitis diagnosed at ten, but they didn’t operate. So was it diverticulitis?
- He wasn’t X-rayed or scanned.
- Doctors always believed I had a disease, they couldn’t identify.
- When I was identified as a coeliac at 50, I thought that was the problem.
But then as my now-retired GP said. “Whatever, I’ve got, doesn’t seem serious!”
Trump’s View On Gluten-Free-Food
Out of Curiosity, I asked Google AI, their view on this.
This is the answer, that I received.
Donald Trump’s view on gluten-free food, as indicated in his “Make America Healthy Again” (MAHA) agenda, focuses primarily on mandatory labeling of gluten on all packaged foods in the U.S. to protect those with celiac disease and other health conditions. This approach is presented as a public health initiative to address chronic diet-related diseases.
Key aspects of this view and related issues include:
Mandatory Labeling: The central proposal is to require food packaging to disclose the presence of gluten, similar to current requirements for other major allergens. This would align the U.S. with the regulations of many other countries.
Public Health Rationale: The initiative is framed within a broader strategy to improve public health and address rising rates of chronic disease and obesity in the U.S..
Potential for Increased Costs: Critics and advocates have expressed concern that other Trump administration policies, such as proposed tariffs on imported specialty ingredients like tapioca starch and sorghum flour (common in gluten-free products), could lead to higher prices for people who require these foods for medical reasons.
Political Reception: The proposal has received support from celiac advocates, who see it as a necessary step for consumer protection. However, the approach has also sparked debate within the food industry and political sphere, with some viewing it as a rare regulatory move in an otherwise deregulatory agenda.
Academics have also noted an interesting social dynamic, with some studies suggesting that Trump supporters are, perhaps surprisingly, more likely to identify as avoiding gluten than non-supporters.
I would have thought from my own experiences, that Trump supporters would avoid gluten.
Do Coeliacs Have More Varicose Viens?
I asked Google AI, the question in the title of this post and I received this answer.
Yes, studies suggest that people with celiac disease (CD) may have an increased risk of developing certain vein-related conditions, including a potential predisposition to varicose veins.
My mother had the worst varicose viens I’ve ever seen.
She was operated on in the 1950s, by an Indian lady surgeon, who performed her ward rounds in a sari, who my father told me, she was one of the most beautiful women, that he’d ever seen.
Although, my father was married twice, he didn’t seem to be a ladies’ man, although he had great loyalty from the ladies he employed, in his printing business. He also got on very well with my wife ; C, although they didn’t meet many times.
Artificial Intelligence To The Rescue
This evening, I had a Marks & Spencer Chicken jalfrezi with Basmati Rice for supper.
Marks put a green vegetable in the rice, which I’m not keen on as it gets stuck in the back of my throat.
So tonight, I picked it out with my hand before cooking, and put it in the food waste.
It didn’t make any difference to the cooking, but as I sat down to eat, I noticed that my right hand was going red.
As I’d never picked the dreaded green vegetable out of the rice before, I asked Google AI, if handling spices can make my hand go red and received this reply.
Yes, handling certain spices, particularly chili peppers, can definitely make your hands go red. This reaction is known as “Hunan hand syndrome” or “chili burn” and is caused by the chemical compound capsaicin.
That, certainly happened to me.
It might almost may have been worse for me because.
- My mother taught me to cook in the 1950s and she didn’t use lots of spices in her cooking. So I never learned about the dangers of spices.
- I have a leaking skin, which allows water in and out of my body easily.
- I have an immune system, like a platoon of the SAS on steroids.
So was this, why I was affected?
I then asked Google AI, “What do you do, if you react badly to chilli”, and received this reply.
If you experience a bad reaction to chili (caused by the compound capsaicin), consume dairy products (like milk or yogurt), acidic foods/drinks (lemonade or orange juice), or starches (bread or rice) for relief.
For severe symptoms like difficulty breathing or chest pain, seek immediate medical attention as it could be an allergic reaction.
For Reactions in the Mouth
The primary methods work because capsaicin is oil-soluble, not water-soluble. Water will only spread the burning sensation.
Dairy Products: Milk, yogurt, and sour cream contain a protein called casein, which acts like a detergent to strip away the oily capsaicin molecules from your pain receptors. Whole or full-fat dairy products tend to be more effective than low-fat versions.
Acidic Foods/Drinks: The acidity in items like lemon or lime juice helps to neutralize the alkaline capsaicin molecule.
Sugary Foods: A spoonful of sugar or honey can absorb the capsaicin oil and provides a distraction from the pain.
Starches/Carbohydrates: Eating plain bread, rice, or potatoes can help by creating a physical barrier and absorbing the capsaicin molecules.
Oils/Nut Butters: Capsaicin dissolves in fat. Swishing with a bit of olive oil or eating a spoon of peanut butter can help dissolve and remove the capsaicin.
For Reactions on the Skin
If you experience a burning sensation on your skin after handling chilies:
Wash the area thoroughly with dish soap and water several times, as dish soap is designed to cut grease and oil.
Soak the affected skin in milk or apply yogurt/sour cream.
You can also try a paste made of baking soda and water, or soaking the area in a diluted vinegar solution.
If the pain is severe and persistent, over-the-counter pain relievers or topical corticosteroid creams may offer relief.
When to Seek Medical Attention
While a normal reaction to chili is an intense sensation rather than actual harm, a true allergy can be serious.
Seek emergency medical care immediately if you experience:
Difficulty breathing, wheezing, or shortness of breath
Swelling of the mouth, lips, or tongue
Chest pain or heart palpitations
Uncontrollable nausea or vomiting
Luckily for me, a yogurt worked.
Conclusion
I shall use a suitable tool, like pliers or tweezers, when handling those dreaded green vegetables.
Does Uncomplicated Pancolonic Diverticular Disease Cause Erectile Dysfunction?
Over my forty years with C, I suffered from intermittent erectile dysfunction, but C generally knew how to cure it.
I do wonder if this was caused by having uncomplicated pancolonic diverticular disease during those generally happy years.
To check, I asked Google AI, the question in the title of this post and received this answer.
Yes, studies suggest that colonic diverticulosis (CD) is an independent risk factor for developing erectile dysfunction (ED). The association is likely related to shared underlying causes, such as chronic low-grade inflammation and vascular issues.
I can accept that!
As for about the first thirty years of our marriage, I was an undiagnosed coeliac, I feel I should ask if undiagnosed coeliac disease causes erectile dysfunction.
I received this answer.
Yes, undiagnosed celiac disease can cause erectile dysfunction (ED) due to the resulting malnutrition, hormonal imbalances, and inflammation. These issues can lead to sexual dysfunction, which may improve once the celiac disease is treated with a strict gluten-free diet.
That would certainly fit with my experience.
I do think, that if the link between undiagnosed coeliac disease is true, then in some cases testing of everybody for coeliac disease may avoid a degree of mental distress.
Does Ginger Make You Feel Good?
I ask this question, as yesterday, I ran out of the Marks & Spencer’s gluten-free stem ginger snap biscuits.
So after buying some this morning, I have just had three biscuits dunked in tea for my lunch.
I sometimes eat as many as four packets a week, so out of curiosity I asked Google AI, the question in the title of this post and received this reply.
Yes, ginger can make you feel good due to its many benefits, including easing nausea and indigestion, reducing inflammation, and improving circulation. It may also help relieve pain, boost energy levels, and promote relaxation, although it’s always best to consult a healthcare professional before taking supplements.
Google seems to be using this web page from Johns Hopkins Medicine, which is entitled Ginger Benefits, as a source.
I have a few extra thoughts about ginger.
Several Of The Posts On This Blog Have Mentioned Ginger
This link displays them all.
A Quick High-Fibre Meal
I have been told that because of my uncomplicated pancolonic diverticular disease, I should try to stick to a high-fibre diet.
So how about beans on toast followed by strawberries?
Note.
- I use Heinz Snap Pots as it cuts the washing up.
- The beans had 7.4 g. of fibre.
- The bread had 5.25 g. of fibre.
- The yoghurt had <0.5g. of fibre.
- The strawberries had 9.5 g. fibre.
- That is a total of 22.2 g. of fibre.
I used a teaspoon to stir the beans, but then I use a lot of teaspoons, when I’m cooking.
Is It Advantageous For Student Doctors To See Patients Earlier In Their Careers?
I’m asking this for a friend.
I asked Google AI the question in the title of this post and received this answer.
Yes, it is advantageous for student doctors to see patients earlier, as it can increase motivation and confidence, provide a better theoretical understanding, and help them develop clinical and communication skills earlier. Early patient contact also helps students build professional identity, gain comfort with patient encounters, and better understand the realities of being a physician, which can also improve patient experiences and facilitate the transition to becoming a junior doctor
That all sounds pretty sensible to me.
These are some thoughts.
Could The Same Philosophy Be Used For Other Health Professionals Like Nurses, Pharmacists And Radiographers?
I don’t see why not!
I actually feel, this philosophy might be already being used by the City University, who train radiographers at Homerton Hospital in Hackney.
I Was Used By University College For Interview Practice
A few years ago, I spent four nights in University College Hospital.
- I had my own single room.
- They wanted to do a few more tests.
- So one of the Senior Tutors asked if I’d mind being interviewed by student doctors for practice.
As I said, I wouldn’t mind, I was interviewed by four student doctors over two nights.
It certainly relieved some of my boredom and at least two of the students had never met a coeliac before.
Conclusion
I believe this patient/student interaction could be used very much to the advantage of both groups.
It Was Hot So I Drunk A Lot Today
It’s still 35 degrees as I write this and judging by the empties I’ve been drinking heavily all day.
I’ve actually had six bottles of Adnams 0.5% Alcohol Ghost Ship, as I started at 09:00 this morning and I’ve also drunk two cans of Diet Coke and three mugs of tea. So I must have drunk close to four litres today, none of which was alcoholic.
But when I was eighteen and serving in The Merryhills pub in Oakwood, I can remember drinking thirteen bottles of Guinness and walking home.
At the time, I didn’t know I was coeliac, so why did the beer not effect my gut?
As my father, who was undoubtedly an undiagnosed coeliac, also drank bottles of Guinness, were the bottles gluten-free, as I believe Guinness 0.0 is today.
It certainly looks like my grandfather, who was a professional alcoholic could have got started on beer to just keep himself hydrated. He then moved on to spirits and that contributed to his early death around forty.
The Anonymous Widower 