BY: Dr. Pietro Baio DC

I know this is a boxing site and not an MMA site; both can have similar injuries.  I’m referring to Brock Lesnar and the diverticulitis he has been diagnosed and treated for .Extreme stress during training camp for either athlete can bring about a lot of the same illnesses.. Diverticulitis as well as celiac disease, ulcerative colitis, and Crohn’s disease are just a few of the stomach illnesses that can happen to an athlete during training. Stresses of daily life as well as training, diet, and environment can all lead to the presence of these draining illnesses. Any of these can turn a hulking mass of muscle like Lesner into a sick, shriveled up shell of a man. If not properly diagnosed and treated such illness will lead to extreme loss of muscle mass and strength..

Diverticulitis is an out bulging of the gut wall. Diet usually has a big part to play in this. Low fiber diets, such as those high in protein, fat and sugars lead to a build up of waste in the gut. Over time the body needs to find a way to release some of this pressure and weak sports form. These weak spots leave an area where the body cannot move waste properly. Depending on the type of food that gets stuck in these pouches, irritation and inflammation  can occur. This will lead to infection and possibly surgery similar to what Lesnar had done. The elimination of the infected area will prevent  rupturing which can lead to possible death.

Celiac disease is another disease of the gut. This one is due to a Gluten intolerance. Gluten is found in most wheat products such as bread and pasta. In most cases it is passed on through genes from parent to child. It may be dormant till a stress like a virus or bacterial infection triggers it. It leads to a suppressed immune system which affects the gut in a way that absorbing nutrients becomes difficult. The lack of nutrient absorption can lead to a number of other illness as well as muscle wasting and bone degeneration.

Ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease can be categorized as Irritable Bowl Syndrome. Once again studies show this gut disease can be genetically related. So if someone else in the family has it, you stand a good chance at having it too. Both these diseases are an inflammation of the digestive system. They can come and go. They may also be worse or better depending on the time of day. The inflammation over time leads to ulcers, or pitting in the gut. In time, the pitting leads to scaring and maybe even a rupture in the gut lining  which can lead to a spread of bacteria to other organs.

All of these stomach injuries can be treated and some even cured if diagnosed in time. As athletes we need to know our bodies. Whether something you ate just doesn’t settle right with you or seem to be losing weight that you don’t intend to lose; listen to your gut feeling. It may make the difference in competing or just sitting the on side lines.

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Dr. Pietro Baio DC
Performance Edge Chiropractic, P.C.
7315 Ave U
Brooklyn, NY 11234
(917)-309-5464
PBaio_DC@yahoo.com
myspace.com/performanceedgechiro

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