About Diverticulitis.life: Our Mission and Editorial Standards
Diverticulitis.life is a patient-led resource dedicated to providing trustworthy, experience-based information about diverticular disease. Founded by someone living with diverticulitis, our website bridges the gap between clinical medical information and the real-life experience of managing this chronic condition day-to-day. We believe that understanding diverticulitis from both medical and personal perspectives creates the most complete picture for those navigating this challenging digestive disorder.
Our Mission
Our mission is three-fold:
- Provide reliable, evidence-based information about diverticular disease that complements what you receive from healthcare providers
- Share authentic personal experiences of living with diverticulitis that help you feel less alone in your journey
- Create practical resources that empower you to better manage your condition and improve your quality of life
We aim to be the resource I wished existed when I was first diagnosed—combining medical accuracy with the wisdom that only comes from lived experience.
The Person Behind Diverticulitis.life
Diverticulitis.life was created by someone who understands the condition firsthand. You can read my complete story in "My Diverticulitis Story: From Diagnosis to Managing Daily Life", but in short: after being diagnosed with diverticulitis and struggling to find comprehensive, practical information that addressed both the medical and lifestyle aspects of the condition, I decided to create the resource I needed.
My professional background includes health communication and research, which I now apply to diverticulitis education. While I am not a medical doctor, I work with healthcare professionals to ensure accuracy while adding the crucial perspective that can only come from someone living with the condition.
Our extended team includes contributors with personal experience with diverticulitis and medical professionals who review our content. Learn more about them in our "Meet the Team Behind Diverticulitis.life" page.
Editorial Standards and Content Creation Process
Every article on Diverticulitis.life follows a rigorous development process:
1. Topic Selection
We select topics based on:
- Common questions from the diverticulitis community
- Areas where medical information and personal experience can be valuably combined
- Emerging research and treatment approaches
- Practical management challenges faced by patients
2. Research and Information Gathering
For each article, we:
- Review current medical literature and clinical guidelines from reputable sources
- Consult with medical professionals when appropriate
- Incorporate personal experiences and practical insights
- Identify gaps where patient perspectives can add value beyond clinical information
Our pillar content on understanding diverticulitis exemplifies our comprehensive approach to research.
3. Content Creation and Review
Our content creation process involves:
- Writing that balances medical accuracy with readability and practical application
- A multi-stage review process that includes:
- Fact-checking against reputable medical sources
- Review by someone with diverticulitis for relevance and practicality
- Medical review for clinical accuracy when appropriate
- Editorial review for clarity, comprehensiveness, and helpfulness
4. Regular Updates
Medical understanding evolves, and so does our content:
- We regularly review and update articles to reflect current medical consensus
- We incorporate new research findings as they emerge
- We add new perspectives and experiences as our community grows
Our quarterly research updates reflect our commitment to staying current.
Our Commitment to Accuracy
While personal experience is valuable, we never compromise on medical accuracy:
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Evidence-based information: We rely on established medical resources such as the American Gastroenterological Association, the American College of Gastroenterology, and the Mayo Clinic to ensure our content reflects current medical consensus.
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Clear sourcing: We distinguish between medical facts, expert opinions, and personal experiences.
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Appropriate disclaimers: We clearly state that our content supplements but does not replace professional medical advice. For example, our guide to home treatment for mild diverticulitis emphasizes when medical intervention is necessary.
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Balanced perspective: We present multiple viewpoints when medical consensus is evolving or when approaches differ, such as in our article about antibiotics for diverticulitis.
Distinguishing Types of Content
On Diverticulitis.life, you'll find different types of content clearly labeled as:
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Medical Information: Factual content about diverticulitis, its causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment options based on current medical understanding.
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Personal Experience: First-person accounts that share the lived reality of diverticulitis, such as our articles on managing anxiety and depression with diverticulitis.
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Practical Guidance: Step-by-step advice for managing various aspects of life with diverticulitis, exemplified by our diverticulitis diet guide.
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Research Updates: Summaries of recent studies and medical advances, like our analysis of gut microbiome research implications.
Advertising and Affiliate Relationships
Transparency about our business relationships is essential to maintaining your trust:
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Limited advertising: We maintain strict standards for any advertisements that appear on our site, rejecting any that make misleading health claims.
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Affiliate links: Some product recommendations include affiliate links that generate a small commission at no additional cost to you. These are clearly disclosed, and products are recommended based on merit and relevance to diverticulitis management, not commercial relationships.
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Editorial independence: Our content is never influenced by advertisers or commercial partners. Our recommendations reflect what we genuinely believe will help our readers.
Community Involvement
Diverticulitis.life is more than a website—it's a community resource that grows stronger with your participation:
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Reader feedback: We encourage you to share your experiences and suggestions for improvement.
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Content suggestions: Many of our articles originate from reader questions and suggestions.
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Expert contributions: We welcome healthcare professionals who wish to contribute their expertise.
To get involved, visit our contact page or email us directly at help@diverticulitis.life.
Our Commitment to You
Managing diverticulitis can be challenging, confusing, and sometimes isolating. At Diverticulitis.life, we promise to:
- Provide information that respects both medical science and lived experience
- Present content in clear, practical terms that can be applied to daily life
- Continuously improve our resources based on new research and community feedback
- Create a supportive environment where no valid question is considered too basic
- Advocate for better understanding of diverticular disease and its impact on quality of life
We believe that combining medical knowledge with personal experience creates the most helpful resource for people living with diverticulitis. Whether you're newly diagnosed, managing a flare-up, or figuring out how to live well with diverticulitis long-term, we're here to help you navigate your journey with confidence.
If you'd like to learn more about our approach to creating helpful resources, explore our guide to creating a personal diverticulitis management plan, which exemplifies how we blend medical information with practical lived experience.
Disclaimer: Diverticulitis.life provides information for educational purposes only. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.
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