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Diverticulitis
Medical Questions » Diverticulitis
| Name: Diverticulitis |
| Also known as: |
| Infection or inflammation occurring in diverticulitis (outpocketings) that develop on the colon (large intestine). When no infection or inflammation is present, the condition is called diverticular disease of the colon. Very common in older people, but the incidence is slowly decreasing in developed countries as the amount of fiber in the diet is increasing. |
Causes of Diverticulitis
If fiber is lacking in the diet, almost everything eaten is absorbed, and there is little to pass on in the faeces. If there is no bulk in the motions, there is a tendency towards constipation, and pressure builds up in the colon as the hard, dry food remnants are moved along towards the anus. The pressure increases in the last meter or so of the bowel to cause ballooning out of the bowel wall between the muscle bands that run along and around the gut. With time, these outpocketings become permanent and form small diverticulae in which fecal particles can be trapped to cause infection and inflammation. |
Symptoms of Diverticulitis
Intermittent cramping pains in the lower abdomen, alternating constipation and diarrhea, excess flatus (wind), and noisy bowels. |
Tests for Diverticulitis
Diagnosed by barium enema X-ray or colonoscopy of the large bowel. |
Treatment for Diverticulitis
Acute attacks treated with antibiotics and medications that reduce gut spasm. Sometimes treatment must be continued long term to prevent recurrences. Fiber supplements are added to the diet, and fecal softeners prevent constipation. In severe cases, surgery may be necessary to remove the affected sections of bowel, particularly if the bowel starts to bleed from chronic irritation or if an abscess forms. If fiber is added to the diet once the disease is present, it will not lead to a cure, but will prevent the formation of more diverticulae and therefore limit the severity of the disease.
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Complications of Diverticulitis of its treatment
An abscess may form in one of the diverticulae, and this may rupture causing peritonitis. |
Likely Outcome of Diverticulitis
Acute attacks normally settle quickly with treatment. Once diverticulae are present, they are permanent, and periodic infections occur. |
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