Diverticulitis

Diverticulitis is a diverticular disease where sections of the muscular wall of the colon weaken to form sac-like protrusions.

DIVERTICULOSIS

A Diverticulum is a protrusion or small pouch from the inner lining of the colon. It is usually small in size varying between a few millimeters to a few centimeters in diameter. Diverticula is the plural form of Diverticulum. Usually, Diverticula are formed in the sigmoid colon.

Diverticulosis is the name of the condition when a person has Diverticula. Diverticulitis refers to the condition when the Diverticula becomes inflamed.

CAUSES OF DIVERTICULOSIS

Although not proven, Diverticulosis is believed to be caused by a lack of dieting fiber in one’s diet.

The typical American diet is solely lacking in large servings of fruits, whole grains and vegetables.

Diverticulosis is asymptomatic and therefore does not exhibit any particular symptoms until the person develops Diverticulitis.

Dietary fiber provides the bulk in stools which makes it easy for the colon to push it out of the rectum.

Lack of fiber in the diet also causes constipation. A constipated person needs to strain the colonic muscles in order to move the hardened stools.

This creates excess pressure within the colon which causes weak spots in the colon to protrude out causing Diverticula.

In addition, straining to pass solid hard stools caused by constipation, further increases intra-colonic pressure. This could also affect the formation of diverticula.

HOW IS IT DIAGNOSED?

Very often, diverticula are found by accident when a person undergoes routine diagnostic procedures. This includes x-rays or colonoscopy procedures. Abdominal palpation will also provide the physician enough reason to suspect mild Diverticulitis should there be discomfort felt when pressure is applied to the abdomen.

Sometimes, a routine blood test can be helpful when there is elevated white cell count. But this should not be taken as conclusive.

DIVERTICULITIS SYMPTOMS

• Fever

• Acute diverticulitis causes abdominal pain and tenderness usually on the left side of the abdomen

• Nausea

• Cramping

• Constipation

• Bloody Stools

• Bloating

DIVERTICULITIS TREATMENT

(1) Antibiotics for Diverticulitis may be prescribed to clear up the inflammation and bacterial infection.

(2) Allowing the colon to rest. This is done by substituting a diet of solid food to a liquid diet.

(3) Complete rest in bed.

(4) When the patient shows signs of recovery, a soft low fiber diet follows.

(5) Diverticulitis diet would include a high fiber diet which can commence within a month after all Diverticulitis symptoms disappear.

CAUSES OF DIVERTICULITIS

Diverticulitis is believed to be caused by stool trapped in the Diverticulum. The bacteria in the stool then cause the Diverticulum to become inflamed and infected.

PREVENTING DIVERTICULOSIS AND DIVERTICULITIS

(1) Eating a high fiber diet is the best option.

(2) If a person has Diverticulosis, it is important to avoid eating foods with tiny seeds as these are difficult to digest and may get trapped in the Diverticula which could lead to Diverticulitis.

CAUTION

People diagnosed with Diverticulitis or Diverticulosis should not go for colon cleansing procedures such as Colonic Irrigation or hydrotherapy as these procedures could lead to perforation of the Diverticula leading to medical complications.