How to Know If You Have Diverticulitis

Diverticulosis is a disease of the large bowel characterized by pouches in the bowel wall called diverticulum which become inflamed and infected causing diverticulitis. Diverticulosis is common in people over 4o in developed nations such as the United States. It is rarely heard of in less developed nation such as Africa. It's postulated because of this that a diet deficient in fiber over a long period of time is the cause of diverticulosis. Many if not most people with diverticulosis have no symptoms or only occasional bouts of vague abdominal cramping even though they have many diverticulum in their bowel. Approximately 20% of those with diverticulosis will go on to have episodes of dicerticulitis at some point in their lives.

Diverticulitis is the acute inflammation of diverticulum resulting in nausea, vomiting, fever, chills, elevation of the white count and abdominal pain especially in the left lower quadrant. Diarrhea or constipation may be present and occasionally rectal bleeding occurs. The inflamed diverticuli will sometimes form fistulas from the bowel into other organs such as the bladder causing feces to infect the affected system. Abscesses and peritonitis can occur from ruptures of diverticuli. It if felt stool or food becomes trapped in the pockets formed by the diverticuli and this may be the cause of infection. Some doctor in the past have recommended no seeds in the diet thinking the seeds might more easily become trapped in the diverticuli and increase risk of infection. No definitive study has proven diverticulitis is caused by such food or helped by diet.

Episode of diverticulitis can last for days to sometimes weeks. Caught early diverticulitis can sometimes be treated with oral antibiotics and a clear liquid diet. More serious cases may require hospitalization, IV antibiotics and fluids and complete rest of the bowel. Occasionally surgery will be needed to repair a fistula or drain an abscess. Sometimes a resection or removal of the affected bowel has to be performed resulting in a colostomy to allow the remaining bowel to rest. Often this colostomy can be reversed at a later date. When rectal bleeding occurs it will frequently resolve itself but it does not surgery may be needed to stop bleeding.

Diverticulosis is a chronic condition and recurrences of infection can occur. Immediately after an episode of infection you may be asked to follow a low residue or low fiber diet to rest the bowel. When acute infections are not being dealt with a high fiber diet is recommended.

Ongoing care by your medical practitioner and early treatment for infections can help manage this condition.

Sources:

Wekipedia.com

Digestive.niddk.nih.gov

Webmd.com