Diverticulitis - Causes, Symptoms and Treatment
Peter Rodrick
November 01, 2008
Diverticulitis is a problem that can happen if you have diverticula in your intestine. Diverticula are tiny pouches or weak areas that bulge out from the lining of the wall of the intestine. They look like small thumbs poking out of the side of the bowel. When you have diverticula in your intestines, it is called diverticulosis. When these pouches become inflamed, it is called diverticulitis. You are more likely to have these pouches as you get older.
Diverticulosis is the condition of having diverticulae present. This condition is usually symptom-free, and most people do not realize they even have it. However, for a few people, diverticulosis results in spasms and pain.
What causes diverticulitis?
Diverticulosis can lead to diverticulitis. Diverticulosis, or diverticula in the colon, may be caused by a low-fiber diet. Without fiber to add bulk to the stool, the colon must exert more pressure than normal to move the stool forward. The pressure may cause pouches (diverticula) to form in weak spots along the colon. Diverticulitis develops when bacteria become trapped in diverticula, leading to an infection. The bacteria grow and cause inflammation and pressure.
Existing weakness in the colon walls-either from age or, in younger people, or from collagen disorders like Marfan's syndrome-also contribute to the development of diverticula. Most often, the pouches form in the sigmoid colon, which is the lower left part of the colon that connects to the rectum. This area of the colon is subject to the highest amount of pressure because it is the narrowest portion of the large intestine. Soluble fiber dissolves easily in water and takes on a soft, jelly-like texture in the intestines. Insoluble fiber passes almost unchanged through the intestines. Both kinds of fiber help make stools soft and easy to pass, which helps to prevent constipation.
The sigmoid colon has a very specialized job. It contracts –quite vigorously – to maintain an essential, constant high pressure. This is the action that regulates the movement of the stool into the rectum. You might have already guessed this, but the high pressure of the sigmoid makes it susceptible to the creation of the diverticuli. It is in this portion of your colon that most of the diverticuli develop.
What are the symptoms ?
Diverticulitis symptoms can feel like appendicitis, except you'll generally have pain in the lower left side of your abdomen, instead of the lower right side. The pain is usually severe and comes on suddenly, but sometimes you may have mild pain that becomes worse over several days and fluctuates in intensity. You may also have abdominal tenderness, fever, nausea, and constipation or diarrhea.
Diverticular bleeding occurs when the expanding diverticulum erodes into a blood vessel at the base of a diverticulum. Rectal passage of red, dark or maroon-colored blood and clots occur without any associated abdominal pain. Rarely, blood may be black from a diverticulum of the right colon. Bleeding may be continuous or intermittent, lasting several days.
How is diverticulitis diagnosed?
Your doctor will ask about your symptoms and will examine you. He or she may do tests to see if you have an infection or to make sure that you don't have other problems. Tests may include:
Blood tests, such as a complete blood count (CBC).
Imaging tests, such as an X-ray, a CT scan, or a colonoscopy.
Treatment of Diverticulosis
If the patient has diverticulosis with no symptoms, no treatment is needed. Some doctors advise eating a special high fiber diet, consisting of fresh vegetables, fresh fruits, whole-grain breads, cereals and bran.
Complicated cases typically involve severe pain, fever, or bleeding. If you have any of these symptoms, you probably will have to stay in the hospital. Treatment consists of IV antibiotics, bowel rest, and possibly surgery.
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Diverticulosis is the condition of having diverticulae present. This condition is usually symptom-free, and most people do not realize they even have it. However, for a few people, diverticulosis results in spasms and pain.
What causes diverticulitis?
Diverticulosis can lead to diverticulitis. Diverticulosis, or diverticula in the colon, may be caused by a low-fiber diet. Without fiber to add bulk to the stool, the colon must exert more pressure than normal to move the stool forward. The pressure may cause pouches (diverticula) to form in weak spots along the colon. Diverticulitis develops when bacteria become trapped in diverticula, leading to an infection. The bacteria grow and cause inflammation and pressure.
Existing weakness in the colon walls-either from age or, in younger people, or from collagen disorders like Marfan's syndrome-also contribute to the development of diverticula. Most often, the pouches form in the sigmoid colon, which is the lower left part of the colon that connects to the rectum. This area of the colon is subject to the highest amount of pressure because it is the narrowest portion of the large intestine. Soluble fiber dissolves easily in water and takes on a soft, jelly-like texture in the intestines. Insoluble fiber passes almost unchanged through the intestines. Both kinds of fiber help make stools soft and easy to pass, which helps to prevent constipation.
The sigmoid colon has a very specialized job. It contracts –quite vigorously – to maintain an essential, constant high pressure. This is the action that regulates the movement of the stool into the rectum. You might have already guessed this, but the high pressure of the sigmoid makes it susceptible to the creation of the diverticuli. It is in this portion of your colon that most of the diverticuli develop.
What are the symptoms ?
Diverticulitis symptoms can feel like appendicitis, except you'll generally have pain in the lower left side of your abdomen, instead of the lower right side. The pain is usually severe and comes on suddenly, but sometimes you may have mild pain that becomes worse over several days and fluctuates in intensity. You may also have abdominal tenderness, fever, nausea, and constipation or diarrhea.
Diverticular bleeding occurs when the expanding diverticulum erodes into a blood vessel at the base of a diverticulum. Rectal passage of red, dark or maroon-colored blood and clots occur without any associated abdominal pain. Rarely, blood may be black from a diverticulum of the right colon. Bleeding may be continuous or intermittent, lasting several days.
How is diverticulitis diagnosed?
Your doctor will ask about your symptoms and will examine you. He or she may do tests to see if you have an infection or to make sure that you don't have other problems. Tests may include:
Blood tests, such as a complete blood count (CBC).
Imaging tests, such as an X-ray, a CT scan, or a colonoscopy.
Treatment of Diverticulosis
If the patient has diverticulosis with no symptoms, no treatment is needed. Some doctors advise eating a special high fiber diet, consisting of fresh vegetables, fresh fruits, whole-grain breads, cereals and bran.
Complicated cases typically involve severe pain, fever, or bleeding. If you have any of these symptoms, you probably will have to stay in the hospital. Treatment consists of IV antibiotics, bowel rest, and possibly surgery.
Visit Herbal Remedies. Do not forget to visit Vagina Tightening Serum and Breast Capsules