What is Diverticulitis?

It is a common digestive disorder mainly affecting the large intestine. It actually refers to an infection or inflammation of the Diverticula, small sac-like structures or pouches that develop in the colon (large intestine).

Diverticulitis Symptoms

This condition is usually asymptomatic, meaning individuals suffering from it do not experience any symptoms. However, they may have cramping or bloating sensations in their lower abdominal region. In rare cases, they may notice blood on their toilet paper or in the stools that they pass.

In some cases, the symptoms can be more severe in nature and arise suddenly. These may worsen over a few days. These include:

Constipation
Diarrhea
Nausea
Vomiting
Gas problems
Loss of appetite
Fever
Chills
Abdominal pain, which may worsen during movement
Tenderness, generally in the left lower abdominal side

Diverticulitis Causes

The causes of Diverticulitis are not yet fully known. However, certain factors have been suspected to be the possible reasons for the development of this disorder. These include,

Lack of dietary fiber – Individuals who do not consume enough fiber-rich foods are considered to be more susceptible to this condition.
Constipation – High intake of processed foods and low consumption of foods high in fiber usually leads to the formation of hard stools and constipation. This results in straining during defecation. Greater pressure in the intestines or colon while passing stools can cause inflammation of pouches.
Diverticulosis – This condition is marked by the presence of multiple diverticula in the colon walls. Over half of all Americans over 60 years of age suffer from this disease. A small percentage of such individuals develop Diverticulitis.
Fecal trapping – If small pieces of feces get trapped in these pouches (Diverticula), bacterial infection may occur as a consequence. This can also lead to the inflammation of the sacs.

Diverticulitis Diagnosis

An experienced health care provider usually begins the diagnosis of this condition with a thorough physical examination. This may be followed up by diagnostic tests like:

CT scan
Abdominal X-rays
Abdominal Ultrasound
Blood tests (to check for infection)

CT scans may help diagnose acute diverticulitis and other complicated cases of the condition, such as those involving an abscess. Acute cases may also require Colonoscopy and Barium Enema.

Diverticulitis Differential Diagnosis

The differential diagnosis for this syndrome involves making sure that the discomforting symptoms are caused by Diverticulitis and not some other condition, such as

Ischemic colitis
Inflammatory bowel disease
Irritable bowel syndrome
Colon cancer

The disease should also be distinguished from other gynecological and urological processes.

Diverticulitis Home Treatment

The treatment of diverticulitis is based on the severity of its symptoms in the sufferer. Some sufferers may need to be hospitalized, though the problem can usually be cured at home. Mild cases of this disorder can be successfully treated at home. Pain and cramps in the abdomen can be relieved with heating pads and over-the-counter analgesics (pain relievers). If these fail to provide relief from the painful symptoms, medical consultation is required.

Diverticulitis Medical Treatment

Severe pain and infection, arising due to this disease, are usually cured with analgesics (painkillers) and antibiotics. In case of severe or frequent attacks, patients may require surgery. Diverticulitis is generally remedied by a surgical process known as “Partial Colectomy” that involves removing the affected sections of the colon. The remaining parts are attached after removal. Depending on the acuteness of the disorder, one or more operations might be required to repair the damage.

Diverticulitis Natural Treatment

Majority of the cases of simple Diverticulitis show good response to conservative therapy, comprising of antibiotics and bowel rest. However, long time treatment of this disorder usually involves a low residue diet. Adhering to a low-fiber diet gives enough time to the colon for healing itself. Once patients recuperate, they may be put back on a high-fiber diet.

In many cases, doctors may recommend natural methods of cure to patients. These comprise of:

Bed rest
Hot compress over abdomen
Use of analgesics (pain-relieving medications)

In some cases, patients are put on an only-fluid diet for one or two days. This may be followed by intake of thicker liquids and ultimately resumption of solid foods.

Diverticulitis Prevention

The risk of getting attacks of this condition can be lowered by:

Following a diet high in fiber-rich foods, whole grains and vegetables
Intake of enough water every day

These dietary habits can result in the formation of soft, fatty stool and make it easy for feces to pass easily through the colon.

Diverticulitis Diet

A diet for Diverticulitis patients should comprise of fiber-rich foods, such as

Vegetables, like carrots, squash, corn and broccoli
Fruits, such as pears, bananas and apples
Wild and brown rice
Whole wheat pasta
Legumes and beans
Whole grain cereals (like oatmeal), bran and whole wheat bread

However, it is not recommended to consume skins of fruits and vegetables, seeds or nuts as they may worsen the symptoms. Consuming excess of beverages, like tea, coffee or alcohol can also aggravate this problem.

Diverticulitis Prognosis

This is a mild disorder that shows a good response to treatment. However, certain individuals are likely to suffer from more than one episode of Diverticulitis attack. Recurring cases of acute attacks may require surgery.

Diverticulitis Complications

Some of the main complications arising due to this condition involve problems like:

Peritonitis – Inflammation of the peritoneum, a transparent membrane lining the abdominal cavity in mammals and covering majority of the viscera.
Abscess – These are infected pockets filled with pus.
Fistula – These are unusual attachments between different colon segments or between the colon and another part of the body.
Perforation – It refers to a tear or hole in the colon.
Stricture – It refers to an abnormal narrowing of an area in the colon.

If you are noticing blood in your stools and experiencing other discomforting Diverticulitis symptoms like abdominal pain, fever or nausea, immediately call up a healthcare professional. Proper treatment can go a long way in curing your condition and help you avert further complications.