Diverticulitis is a condition that affects the large intestine. The large intestine is an integral part of your digestive system. The large intestine is located near the end of your digestive tract and plays a significant role in the digestive system. The large intestine absorbs water, mineral, and nutrients from your food and forms your stool.
People with diverticulitis develop diverticula, small pockets formed in the intestinal wall of the large intestine, particularly in the lower left side of the large intestine or colon. Diverticula form due to increased pressure in the colon. These pockets are called diverticula and typically develop in the colon wall's weak spots. The presence of diverticula is not uncommon and can be found in around half the population of 60 and over.
Two terms describe the development of diverticula which are diverticulosis and diverticulitis. Diverticulosis applies when the diverticula in the colon are not inflamed or infected. Diverticulitis occurs when there is inflammation or infection of these diverticula. This inflammation and infection of the diverticula cause the symptoms of diverticulitis, such as abdominal pain.
In the case of diverticulosis, where there is no infection of the diverticula, there are often no or mild symptoms. In the case of diverticulitis, where there is an infected diverticulum, the most common symptom is abdominal pain, specifically in the lower left side of the abdomen. This pain can range from mild to more severe abdominal pain. Other diverticulitis symptoms include nausea, fever, constipation, occasional diarrhea, and rectal bleeding.
Acute diverticulitis may be more severe and cause additional complications. Some of these complications include developing a blockage in the colon due to scar tissue. There is also a risk of developing a fistula, which is considered a medical emergency. In some cases, infected diverticula may rupture, a severe complication leading to the contents of the large intestine leaking into the abdominal cavity. This complication requires immediate medical attention and potentially emergency surgery.
One possible cause of diverticulitis is related to diet. Diets low in fiber and high in animal fat and red meat can be a risk factor for diverticulitis. A low-fiber diet can cause chronic constipation. Constipation can be a cause of the development of diverticulitis. Other lifestyles that could put you and an increased risk or worsen diverticular disease include lack of exercise, obesity, and smoking. There have also been links to certain medications such as steroids, opioids, and nonsteroid anti-inflammatory medications. Having a decreased immune system can also be a contributing factor in developing diverticulitis.
Some preventative methods assist in lowering your risk of developing diverticulitis. One method is incorporating more fiber into your diet to improve your bowel performance, especially if you experience constipation. Some dietary changes that increase your fiber intake are eating more fruits and vegetables, eating more whole grains, and eating more legumes and fiber-rich cereals. Other preventative measures include drinking lots of water, avoiding smoking, and excessive drinking. Participating in daily exercise and getting enough vitamin D.
A doctor may also prescribe oral antibiotics to get rid of the infection. Pain medications may also be prescribed to relieve some pain. In more severe diverticulitis, fluid and antibiotics may be delivered through an IV.
In more complicated or severe diverticulitis, surgery may be performed. Surgery may be performed in cases of re-occurring episodes of diverticulitis if you develop complications such as perforation of the bowel wall, obstructions, or abscesses or if you have an immune system disorder. The common surgeries include bowel resection, where parts of the infected bowel are removed and re-connected with the healthy bowel. A bowel resection may be paired with a colostomy in more severe cases. In a colostomy, the healthy bowel is connected to an opening in the abdomen called a stoma, emptying waste into a colostomy bag.
A low-fiber diet may contribute to the development of diverticulitis. Other risk factors include genetic predispositions to diverticular disease, smoking, and decreased physical activity. A doctor may perform one or more tests to check for diverticulitis, including a physical exam, blood tests, or imaging tests. Diverticulitis can be mild and be easily treated at home with prescribed antibiotics, a temporary liquid diet, and probiotics or herbal remedies. It is possible with more severe diverticulitis that, a person may develop complications. In these cases, occasionally, surgery may be required to treat complications.
It is essential to be aware of the risk factors for developing diverticulitis and take steps to maintain a healthy GI tract and colon to prevent diverticular disease.
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Diverticulitis: Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment, Surgery
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Diverticulitis - Diagnosis and treatment - Mayo Clinic.
Diverticular disease and diverticulitis - NHS.
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