I read recently that over a lifetime, it's estimated the human gut digests more than 65 tonnes of food and drink. Much of this food will be low in fibre, putting the gut under strain. One common outcome of this is diverticular disease, a condition affecting the large bowel, or colon, believed to be the result of too little fibre in the diet.

A diet low in fibre creates the ideal conditions for constipation to develop. When this happens, the pressure in the large part of the gut increases, which forces small parts of the gut lining outwards through the muscles surrounding the gut. This causes the lining to form small balloon-like pouches called diverticula. Even though you might never have heard of the condition about one in two adults over 50 is affected, and most adults are affected by the time they reach 90. Men and women are affected equally. But this condition is very uncommon in countries such as Africa, where diets are high in fibre. In Western countries, where many people still don't eat enough fibre, it becomes more common as people get older.

I am not sure what the symptoms are or how it is diagnosed though, anyone know?

Unless the diverticula become inflamed, many people won't have any symptoms. They may only become aware they have diverticular disease when it's found by chance during tests or examination for another problem. Then to prevent future problems developing, pateints are advised to increase the amount of fibre in the diet to avoid constipation. For many people, even if they are present, these diverticula don't cause any problems, but some people may need emergency surgery because the diverticula become inflamed. When the diverticula are not inflamed, symptoms tend to come and go. Episodic cramping, abdominal pain, bloating and excess wind are common often accompanied by a change in normal bowel patterns, with constipation or diarrhoea, or both, alternating. Advice is always to increase the amount of fibre is essential. Increasing fluid consumption, becoming more active and always responding to your body's bowel movement signals lessen the chance of constipation. Antispasmodic medication, and even peppermint tea and painkillers are recommended for use when needed.

It is worth knowing what the symptoms of this condition are. The mechanism goes like this: Infection in the diverticula, possibly caused by an impacted piece of faeces, sets up an inflammation. When this happens - called diverticulitis - the pain can be very severe and is usually felt in the lower left side of the abdomen. The sufferer will often feel feverish and have nausea and vomiting and may pass blood rectally.

Someone with diverticulitis may be treated at home with painkillers, antibiotics, laxatives and dietary advice. But as diverticulitis is often severe, and associated with severe pain and so can need hospital treatment with antibiotics and fluids given through a drip.

In some cases, the bowel may perforate, become obstructed or bleed heavily. When this happens, the situation becomes an emergency and an operation may be needed.