A pouch that forms in the wall of the large intestine is called a diverticulum. When it becomes infected or inflamed it is called diverticulitis.
It is not clear why the pouches form. Doctors believe a constant pressure is built up when food moves too slowly through the bowel. This pressure increases then pushes along the side walls creating pouches. Digested food or stool can become trapped in one of the pouches. This leads to inflammation and infection.
The following may contribute to diverticulitis:
Factor that increases your chance of getting diverticulitis include:
Symptoms can come on suddenly. They vary depending on the degree of the infection.
Symptoms include:
The doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history. A physical and rectal exam will be done.
Finding the disease early is important. The pouch can break, releasing stool into the abdomen. This is a surgical medical emergency.
Tests may include:
Once the inflammation subsides, other tests may be performed, including:
The goals of immediate treatment are to:
Treatments include:
Antibiotics and other drugs are given to fight the infection. Pain medications and drugs are given to decrease the abdominal pain.
For mild inflammation, you can drink clear liquids for the first two to three days. For a more severe case, you will be admitted to the hospital, where fluids are given intravenously (IV). Antibiotics will be given to you through IV. If you have nausea and vomiting, a plastic tube may be inserted through your nose into your stomach. This will help with the vomiting and make you feel more comfortable.
Changes in your diet can help prevent future attacks.
Surgery to remove the section of the bowel with pouches may be recommended if:
Surgery is also used to treat complications of diverticulitis, such as:
When surgery is done on an emergency basis, the surgeon will remove the diseased bowel. Because of the serious infection, the two ends of the bowel will not be hooked together. You will most likely end up with a piece of bowel coming out to your abdomen ( colostomy ). After a period of 6-12 weeks, the surgeon will go back and hook the bowel back together.
If you are diagnosed with diverticulitis, follow your doctor's instrucitons .
The following recommendations may help prevent diverticulitis by improving the movement of stool through the bowel and decreasing constipation:
RESOURCES:
American Dietetic Association
http://www.eatright.org/
American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons
http://www.fascrs.org/
National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse
http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/
CANADIAN RESOURCES:
Dietitians of Canada
http://www.dietitians.ca/
Health Canada
http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/
References:
Conn HF, Rakel RE. Conn's Current Therapy . 2001. Philadelphia, PA: WB Saunders Co;2001.
Diverticulosis and Diverticulitis. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases website. Available at: http://www2.niddk.nih.gov/ . Accessed July 28, 2008.
Diverticular Disease. American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons website. Available at: http://www.fascrs.org/patients/conditions/diverticular_disease/ . Accessed July 28, 2008.
Goroll AH, Mulley AG. Primary Care Medicine. 4th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins;2000.
Rosen P. Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice . 4th ed. St. Louis, MO: Mosby-Year Book, Inc;1998.
Weisiger R, Bilhartz L, Sleisenger MH, et al. Sleisenger & Fordtran's Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease . 6th ed. Philadelphia, PA: WB Saunders Co;1998.
Last reviewed November 2008 by Daus Mahnke, MD
Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
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