Diverticulitis

What is diverticulitis?

 

Diverticulitis is inflammation that commonly occurs in the wall of the large intestine. The wall, or colon, of the large intestine should be smooth but develops irregular bulging pouches when the condition arises. A bulging pouch in the colon wall is known as a diverticulum. Multiple pouches are referred to by medical professionals as diverticula.

Diverticulitis can also occur in the stomach, small intestine, and esophagus. The key distinction with diverticulitis and diverticulosis is that the second one refers to the presence of diverticula without any inflammation or infection. Bulging pouches will not necessarily disrupt your life. It is important to speak to a doctor as soon as you notice any concerning symptoms. Talking about next steps will help you to reduce the risk of diverticula progressing into diverticulitis.

What causes diverticulitis?

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Individuals who develop diverticula in the walls of their colons are generally older. It is most common in people over the age of 50. Diverticula may develop where the wall of a colon is weak from pressure that is caused by:

  • Spasms
  • Straining

The inflammation of one or more diverticula can be results of bacterial disease or damage to diverticula tissues.

What are the symptoms of diverticulitis?

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Symptoms of diverticulitis can vary amongst individuals. One common symptom is pain in the abdomen (the area directly below the chest). You may experience pain in the lower left region. The pain that you may feel can be:

  • Sudden and intense (most common)
  • Mild and gradually worsen
  • Varying in intensity over time

There are additional signs that you should look for when it comes to diverticulitis. Schedule an appointment with a medical professional if the inflammation causes:

  • Severe pain
  • Fever
  • Nausea
  • Changes in stool habits

It is crucial that you see a doctor if any of these symptoms are constant and/or unexplained.

What are diverticulitis risk factors?

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Age is not the only risk factor when it comes to developing diverticulitis. Other things that can increase the risk of developing inflammation are:

  • Obesity
  • Smoking
  • Low-fiber diets
  • Excessive alcohol drinking
  • Low Vitamin D levels
  • Lack of exercise
  • A high diet of red meat
  • Certain medicines

Steroids, opioids, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) may lead to an increased chance of developing diverticulitis. NSAIDs with an increased risk factor include ibuprofen (Advil or Motrin IB) and naproxen sodium (Aleve).

How is diverticulitis diagnosed?

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Diverticulitis symptoms can be similar to symptoms for other conditions, like colitis. Speaking to a medical professional to distinguish which condition causes your discomfort is important so that a proper treatment plan can begin. You doctor may diagnose you with diverticulitis by using:

  • Abdominal and Pelvic CT: A CT scan effectively diagnoses diverticulitis and shows the severity of your condition. Oral or intravenous (IV) contrast will help a radiologist clearly see your intestines and abdominal organs.
  • Colonoscopy: A doctor may insert a small camera to observe the interior of your colon and look for any inflamed, infected pouches.
  • Ultrasound-Pelvis: Ultrasound images are not as detailed as a CT scan, but they can create a picture of the abdominal organs without using ionizing radiation.
  • X-ray: Your doctor may choose to x-ray your Lower GI tract to assess whether there are any complications from diverticulitis.
  • Blood and Urine Tests: High white blood cell counts can indicate to doctors that you currently have an infection and/or inflammation in the colon.
  • Pregnancy Test: Taking a pregnancy test will not tell you if you have diverticulitis, but it can rule out pregnancy as a possible cause of certain abdominal pain.

It is best that you speak directly to your doctor and see which diagnostic method makes the most sense for you at the present moment. A doctor may select one method based on how severely your symptoms present themselves when you make an appointment with them.

A medical professional may also air on the side of caution and choose to run a CT. Getting a clearer answer sooner rather than later provides more opportunity for thorough and effective patient treatment.

What are common complications of diverticulitis?

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Approximately 15% of patients with diverticulitis will experience complications, such as:

  • An abscess (a pocket of pus)
  • Colon blockage
  • A fistula (an irregular passageway between the bowel and another bodily organ)
  • Peritonitis (when a tear in the colon wall causes waste to spill out and damages the abdominal lining)
  • Diverticular hemorrhage (bleeding from ruptured blood vessels)

 

There is no need for immediate alarm if you notice minor symptoms that may be related to diverticulitis. Schedule an appointment with an expert to gain proper medical treatment and offset the risk of developing major complications.

How is diverticulitis treated?

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Your diverticulitis treatment will depend on the severity of your symptoms and whether or not you experience complications from the condition. Mild cases without complications might call only for rest, oral antibiotics, and a liquid diet. Returning gradually to solid foods in a few days may be possible if symptoms begin to lessen.

More severe cases of diverticulitis may result in your doctor recommending:

  • Hospital admission
  • Receiving IV antibiotics
  • Fasting for a few days

Some cases of diverticulitis require patients to get colon surgery. Complications of diverticulitis that require a surgical procedure include:

  • Bowel perforation
  • Abscess
  • Fistula
  • Intestinal obstruction

Interventional radiologists can drain abscesses through a minimally invasive procedure. Treating active bleeding is possible with an angiogram and by a doctor blocking a bleeding blood vessel. Surgery may be required for patients with recurrent diverticulitis or if you experience narrowing of the large bowel due to ongoing instances of inflammation.

How can you prevent diverticulitis?

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Preventing diverticulitis is possible in a couple of different ways. Minimize the risk of experiencing inflammation by:

  • Exercising regularly and vigorously
  • Eating a high-fiber diet (fruits, vegetables, whole grains, seeds, beans)
  • Reducing or eliminating certain foods (red meats, sweets)
  • Maintaining a healthy weight
  • Drinking plenty of fluids to improve the movement of waste
  • Quitting smoking
  • Limiting alcohol consumption

Healthcare professionals have previously encouraged patients with diverticulitis to avoid riskier foods like nuts, seeds, and popcorn that can get caught in the pockets. Seeds and nuts are still good sources of fiber. Later studies indicated that they do not increase the risk of diverticulitis.

Make sure that you consult with your doctor before you make any significant dietary or regiment changes in your life. A doctor can help you to adjust lifestyle choices appropriately and safely.

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