Diverticulitis and diverticular disease, rupture and incidents

What is Diverticular Disease and Diverticulitis

Diverticular Disease and diverticulitis are related digestive disorders of the large bowel or colon.

But before we venture much further, it may help to take a look at the colon.

The Colon

The colon is the last part of the digestive system, also known as the large intestine, it consists of a layer of flexible tissue on the inside, and is covered by a tougher layer of muscle. It is approximately six feet long.

The colon is also important in the absorption of water and some electrolytes into the circulation before elimination, it helps to move waste material from the small intestine to the rectum and out through the anus as feces.

Diverticular

Diverticular is a medical term used to describe the pouches or sacs which form in the colon, protruding and bulging out through the muscle wall.

Diverticular disease is rare in parts of the world where diet contain large intake of fruit and vegetable and low in red meat

This disease is said to be associated with ageing, approximately 70 % of people have them by the time they reach the age of 80.

It is not known what causes these pouches or sacs to form, but it is believed, that eating a low fiber diet is one of the most likely causes. Diverticular disease is common in people who lives in countries such as the United States and Europe known to eat more processed food and have a low intake of fiber, resulting in the formation of hard stool and constipation, which increases the pressure in the colon and allowing the formation of these pouches. In medical condition, such as multiple Sclerosis where constipation is a common complication, the bowel function need to to be managed to prevent diverticulitis in cases with diverticula disease.

However, with education, people have become much more aware, and are making informed choices about the right diet and lifestyle to reduce the incident of diverticular disease and diverticulitis.

The majority of people with diverticula, will not exhibit symptoms , but 1 in 4 will show symptoms of abdominal pain and diarrhoea, these are said to have diverticular disease.

The pouches in the colon can become infected and inflamed, forming areas of empyema, when this occurs it is known as diverticulitis.

Diverticulitis

The symptoms of diverticulitis are generally more severe than diverticular disease, which usually presents symptoms of lower abdominal pain with feeling of bloating.

With diverticulitis, the stomach pain is severe, and is accompanied by a high fever with temperature in excess of 38 degree Celsius, nausea and vomiting and loss of apetite.

There is also a risk that the infection may cause the colon to rupture, spreading the faecal matter into the sterile area of the abdomen, resulting in peritonitis. The infection can lead to formation of fistula, an abnormal channel, connecting to other areas causing wider spread of the infection and further complications which will require surgical intervention. According to the Mayo clinic only about 25% of individuals suffer from any symptoms associated with diverticulitis

Treatment for Diverticulitis

The treatment for diverticulitis largely depends on the severity of the symptoms; Treatment can be in hospital or at home.

• To reduce the pain, doctor may suggest bed rest and the use of heat pads, which can be applied to the abdomen
• Pain medicine; get suggestion from your doctor or health care provider, this may include paracetamol and anti-spasm, avoid aspirin and ibuprofen as they may cause internal bleeding, your doctor will be aware of your medical history and can give advise appropriate to your individual need. Always read the information leaflet that comes with the medication and if in doubt ask your pharmacists for advise.
• Take only fluids for the first twenty-four to forty-eight hours, if in hospital, fluids and energy may be given through an intravenous drip, this allows the bowel to rest and recover, before moving on to thicker liquids then progressing to solid foods
• Your doctor may prescribe antibiotics.

When the condition has sufficiently improved, more fiber may be added to the diet to prevent further attacks. If bloating and gas persist, the amount of fiber eaten can be reduced for a day or two.

Once formed, diverticula pouches remain for life, but by making a few changes to diet and lifestyle diverticulitis may not return.

Some foods, however, can make symptoms worst and should be avoided.

Food to Avoid

Beans and peas, dried fruits, coconuts, popcorn, strawberries, coarse grains,

vegetables and fruits with skin on, tomatoes, pickles and cucumbers.

Doctors can advise individuals about eating nuts and seeds, medical opinion on eating nuts and seeds are changing, some believe it can complicate the condition of diverticula disease, increasing the incident of diverticulitis, others believe not.

Ttoo much tea, coffee and alcohol can cause constipation aggravating the condition and making it worst. Try to eat five potion of fruit and vegetables per day, this will help form stool which is bulky and soft.

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copyright. J A Hagues 21 November 2011