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Diverticulitis and Diverticulosis

Preventing Abdominal Pain and Colon Problems with High Fiber Foods

Jan 7, 2009 Karen Stephenson

A high fiber diet is the only treatment needed for most people who suffer with diverticulosis. Preventable measures can be taken in reducing chances for colon surgery.

Eating a low fiber diet and lack of exercise for many years is suspected in being the leading cause in developing diverticulitis and diverticulosis. Statistics indicate that about 10% of adults over forty years of age may experience symptoms of diverticulosis. Those numbers soar to 50% for those over the age of sixty. Eating a healthy diet with recommended levels of fiber on a daily basis plus regular exercise is the best prevention.

What is Diverticulitis and Diverticulosis?

Most people have small pouches in the lining of the colon that bulge outward through weak spots. Each pouch is called a diverticulum. Multiple diverticulum are called diverticula. Diverticula form when there is a build up of pressure inside the colon wall caused mostly by constipation. People who have the condition of diverticula are diagnosed with diverticulosis.

These pouches are most common in the lower portion of the colon. When these pouches become inflamed the condition is known as diverticulitis. Approximately 10% to 25% of those who have diverticulosis will develop diverticulitis. Together, these terms are referred to as diverticular disease.

Diverticular Symptoms

Most people with diverticulosis have little or no discomfort. Those who have diverticulitis experience lower abdominal pain. The most common sign is that there is tenderness in the lower left side of the abdomen. Usually the pain is rapid and severe. It can also be mild and worsen over time. Cramping, nausea, vomiting, fever, chills or a change in bowel habits are common symptoms.

Complications of Diverticulitis

Diverticulosis can lead to bleeding, infections, small tears (perforations) or blockages in the colon. These complications always require intervention to prevent them from causing serious illness. Severe cases with acute pain result in hospitalization.

Bleeding: Any rectal bleeding, regardless of quantity or duration, requires immediate medical attention. Doctors believe that bleeding occurs as a result of a small blood vessel in a diverticulum that weakens and ruptures. This weakening is a result of lodged fecal matter. A colonoscopy is used to identify the source of bleeding. Sometimes gastroenterologists will inject dye into an artery to identify and treat diverticular bleeding.

Abscess, Perforations and Peritonitis: Diverticulitis may lead to infections that can be cleared up with antibiotics. If an infection worsens, an abscess may develop in the colon wall. An abscess is a localized accumulation of pus that may swell and destroy tissue. If treated when small and the pus remains in the wall of the colon, antibiotics may clear it. If it does not clear, a catheter may be required to drain the area.

Perforations: Infected diverticula may develop perforations. Sometimes these perforations leak pus out of the colon and form a large abscess in the abdominal cavity causing a condition known as peritonitis. A person with peritonitis may become quite ill with nausea, vomiting, fever and severe abdominal tenderness. This condition requires immediate surgery to clean the abdominal cavity and remove the damaged part of the colon. Without immediate treatment peritonitis can be fatal.

Fistula: A fistula is an abnormal connection of tissue between two organs. When damaged tissues come into contact with each other during an infection they sometimes stick together. If they heal that way a fistula forms. When diverticulitis-related infection spreads outside the colon, the colon's tissue might stick to other tissues. The organs involved usually are the small intestine, skin and bladder. The most common form of fistula is between the the colon and the bladder. This affects more men than women and can result in a severe, long-lasting urinary tract infection.

Intestinal Obstruction: Scarring caused by infection may lead to partial or total intestinal blockage. When there is blockage, the colon is unable to move bowel contents properly. If there is total bowel obstruction then emergency surgery is required.

Treatments

Treatments in most cases are a simple as eating a proper diet and getting regular exercise. For more severe cases, medication, hospitalization or surgery may be required. Any abdominal discomfort on a regular basis should be seen to by a doctor or a gastroenterologist.

Further Resources:

American College of Gastroenterology

International Foundation for Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders

The copyright of the article Diverticulitis and Diverticulosis in General Medicine is owned by Karen Stephenson. Permission to republish Diverticulitis and Diverticulosis in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

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