The Diagnosis and Treatment of Diverticular Disease and Diverticulitis Infection

Diverticular Disease is very painful in the abdomen. It causes cramping and pain located in the left side. Diverticular Disease has the same treatment and signs as IBS. Sometimes IBS (irritable bowel syndrome) is even mistaken for Diverticular Disease. It can be inflamed without having a fever or any other symptoms. Diverticulum is in the lining of the large intestine. The cause of Diverticula is when pouches or a bowl like shapes forms in the lining. The colon is the end part of the large intestine.

Diverticular Disease can be diagnosis by different test. A visualization of the colon can be preformed by a Barium x ray by using (barium enemas). If there is barium filled pouches struck out of the wall of the colon this is diverticula. When testing the intestines short tube sigmoidoscopes or longer tube colonoscopies can be used for the diagnosis. They will also help to exclude other diseases. Another test used to check for an abscess is a CT scan or ultrasound. This test can detect if there is pus fluid that has collected.

To help prevent diverticula disease using a high fiber diet or supplement is advised. Anti-spasmodic drugs are used when patients have mild symptoms such as abdominal pain from muscle spasm. These brand drugs are Bentyl, Levsin, Librax or Donnatal. There are some foods that complicate the problem. They are seeds, corn and nuts these need to be avoided.

With minimal symptoms or none at all with diverticulitis there will be no treatment.

Antibiotics are used when diverticulitis occurs. If the symptoms are mild these brand named antibiotics are used Keflex, Flagyl, Cipro or Vibramycin. Of course it is better when there is an acute attack to eat low fiber foods and drink liquids. When the patient does not respond to the antibiotics something else will need to be done. Then a hospital stay with intravenous antibiotics is recommended. If there is abscess or bowel obstruction with no response to the medication surgery is recommended.

Surgical intervention is used when the disease does not respond to any other medical treatment. Draining the pus or abscess or removal of the section of the colon with the diverticuli may help. Also sometimes it is necessary to remove the segment of the colon with persistant bleeding. With recurrent attacks of the condition surgery may be done to remove all or most all of the colon. Removing the part affected b the diverticula to prevent diverticulitisis. Laparoscopic surgery can be done with a laser will make the recovery easier.

There has been no treatment found to prevent this disease. It is permanent once formed. Although theoretically using high fiber diets increases stool bulk which helps with constipation. The diets help prevent further formation or worsening the condition.

Even thought these two conditions can be life threatening. The treatment of this disease and infection are successful.