What is diverticulitis and how to treat it

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44

Do not confuse this with diverticulosis.

Diverticulosis and diverticulitis are two conditions that are collectively known as diverticular disease Diverticular bowel disease (K57) of the intestine. The first means the presence of diverticulums, and the second means their inflammation Diverticular Disease.

Diverticular disease affects every third Definition & Facts for Diverticular Disease adults aged 50 and under, every second after the age of 60 and almost everyone after 80. True, not all of them know about it.

What are diverticula

These are bulges - a kind of "bags" that form in the intestinal wall when it weakens for some reason. They most often occur in the lower colon.

The intestines with diverticula do not look very pleasant (people with hypersensitivity should not look).

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As a rule, the presence of diverticula itself does not cause problems. People have no idea how strange their intestines look. Few have symptoms of Diverticular Disease:

• pulling slight pains in the abdomen - in the area where there are diverticula;
• bloating that occurs from time to time;
• regular constipation.

However, these signs cannot be diagnosed because they are common to many gastrointestinal disorders, including irritable bowel syndrome, celiac disease, appendicitis, gallstones, and stomach ulcers.

What are the symptoms of diverticulitis

It occurs when the diverticula become inflamed. In this case, the symptoms of Diverticular Disease diverticular disease are much more obvious:

• Pain. It usually appears in the lower left abdomen and may be mild but intensify day after day. And it can appear abruptly and suddenly.
• Temperature increase.
• Nausea, sometimes to vomiting.
• Chills.
• Lower abdominal cramps.
• Stool disorders - often constipation, but diarrhea also occurs.
• Rectal bleeding is possible.

If you observe such a combination of symptoms, call your doctor immediately or, depending on how you feel, call an ambulance.

To make an accurate diagnosis of Diverticular Disease. Diagnosis and Tests, the doctor will ask you about the symptoms, feel the stomach, clarify how often you eat and defecate, what medications you are taking. In addition, additional tests may be needed, such as blood and stool samples, and a CT scan of the intestines or colonoscopy.

Why diverticulitis is dangerous

In about 25% of Diverticulitis cases, it can lead to serious complications:

• Abscess. It occurs due to the accumulation of pus in the diverticulum. This is not only painful, but also dangerous: microorganisms from a purulent focus can enter the bloodstream and cause sepsis, which often leads to death.
• Bowel obstruction.
• Intestinal fistula.
• Peritonitis. It is caused by the rupture of an inflamed diverticulum, due to which the contents of the intestine enter the abdominal cavity.

How to treat diverticulitis

Treatment depends on Diverticulitis. Diagnosis and Treatment on how severe the symptoms are.

If the inflammation of the diverticulum is small and does not threaten them with rupture or impaired intestinal patency, your doctor will recommend you rest more, eat only liquid food for several days, and prescribe antibiotics. You can be treated at home.

With complicated diverticulitis, you will be hospitalized. You will need intravenous antibiotics and other procedures to cope with complications, up to and including surgery on the intestines.

Where does diverticular disease come from?

Why diverticula appear, scientists do not know for sure. It is assumed that diverticulosis, as well as its direct consequence, diverticulitis, may be caused by a combination of genetic characteristics and lifestyle.

Several factors in Diverticulitis are associated with an increased risk of inflammation:

• Elderly age, especially after 60 years.
• Obesity.
• Smoking.
• Lack of physical activity.
• A diet high in animal fat and low in fiber. If you like fatty meats combined with carbohydrates, such as spaghetti or potatoes, and ignore vegetable salads and fruits, your risk of developing diverticulitis is higher.
• Regular use of certain medications, including certain over-the-counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen.

How not to get sick with diverticulitis

There is no guaranteed way to protect your gut from diverticulum. But Diverticulitis risks can be reduced.

Exercise regularly

Physical activity is essential for normal bowel function. In addition, exercise reduces pressure in the colon: as a result, its walls are not exposed to unnecessary stress and protrusions do not appear on them. Try to exercise (jogging, swimming, gymnastics) for at least 30 minutes a day.

Eat More Fiber

Fiber-rich foods - fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grain cereals - soften stools and help them pass through the colon more easily without stressing the intestinal walls.

Drink plenty of fluids

This is a good prevention of constipation. Eight glasses of water a day is not entirely accurate, but close to ideal.

Quit smoking

Smokers develop diverticula more often and earlier than non-smokers. Try to quit smoking.