Coping with Diverticulitis
Diverticulosis
Diverticulosis is a condition in which small, bulging pouches
develop in the digestive tract. These diverticula usually
develop when the wall of the colon gets weak and gives way or
when pressure inside the lumen (the cavity inside the colon)
increases to more than normal. Although these pouches can
develop anywhere in the digestive tract, they are seen most
commonly in the descending colon and sigmoid colon, which are
parts of the large intestine. Diverticulosis is common in those
more than 60 years old, and generally doesn’t cause
symptoms beyond occasional mild abdominal pain. However,
sometimes, digested material can lodge in one of these pouches
and can get infected. When this occurs, it is called
diverticulitis.
Diverticulitis presents with severe pain in the lower left
quadrant, with abdominal tenderness more on the lower left side,
along with fever, nausea, vomiting, bloating, bleeding from the
rectum and pain while urinating. It can range from a minor
inflammation to a massive infection. Without treatment,
diverticulitis can cause a number of serious complications:
Perforation - a pouch ruptures, spilling
intestinal waste into the general abdominal cavity
Local Abscess - the infected contents of the
pouch cause a local abscess formation.
Peritonitis – usually, a small
perforation is walled off by the local tissues but if that does
not occur then the infection spreads into the general peritoneal
cavity causing peritonitis.
Fistula formation – fistulas are
abnormal communications between two internal organs, or between
an internal organ and the skin. These must be treated promptly
to prevent fistulitis which is the infection of a fistula, a
serious condition
Intestinal Obstruction – repeated
scarring after multiple attacks of diverticulitis narrows the
lumen inside the large intestine and obstruction can occur,
which has to be treated quickly
Diverticulitis is treated according to the severity of the
attack, location, age and other risk factors.
Mild attack - home care will suffice. A liquid
diet or a low-fibre diet with a combination of 2 or 3
antibiotics will decrease the symptoms. All fruits, vegetables,
whole grains are to be avoided for a few days.
Hospitalization - if vomiting, high fever or a
risk of developing any of the above listed complications are
considered likely, then hospitalization with IV antibiotics and
IV nutrition is initiated.
Surgery – about 20-30% of those
suffering from diverticulits will need surgery. In case of
recurring diverticulitis, surgery could be necessary to remove
the diseased part of the colon.
Coping with diverticulitis is a process of learning how to
prevent it with good self-care. Eating a high fibre diet with
lots of fruits, vegetables, whole grains like cereals, bran,
wheat, peas and beans. Include these in your diet to aim for at
least 25 grams of fibre daily. Avoid fatty foods and keep in
mind that foods like popcorn kernels, seeds, peanuts, etc. can
get stuck in a diverticulosis pouch. Drink lots of water. A good
exercise regimen promotes a good bowel frequency and prevents
constipation. Watch for symptoms of recurrence of diverticulitis
like abdominal pain, bleeding in the stools, dark soft tarry
stools, fever etc., and report them to your physician.
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