Diverticulitis is a condition that occurs when diverticula small, pouch-like structures that form in the intestines or elsewhere in the digestive tract become inflamed or infected.
Diverticulitis can cause painful symptoms and, if untreated, lead to serious complications.
Up to 25 percent of people who have diverticula will over time develop diverticulitis, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
Diverticulitis is one kind of diverticular disease. A related condition known as diverticulosis describes the presence of diverticula in the digestive tract; these are typically harmless, though they may eventually develop into a case of diverticulitis.
Diverticula can form anywhere along the digestive, or gastrointestinal (GI) tract, from the esophagus, which connects the mouth to the stomach, to the large intestine.
Most diverticula, however, form in the sigmoid colon, which is near the end of the large intestine and which connects the bowels to the rectum, where feces are held before a bowel movement.
Doctors and researchers arent certain what causes diverticula in the digestive tract become inflamed or infected, but they have identified several possible causes.
The most widely accepted theory is that increased pressure in the colon, caused by constipation or other digestive problems, can lead to tears in the wall of a diverticulum.
Bacteria or hard fecal material present in the intestine can then become lodged in the diverticulum, causing inflammation and infection.
Constipation, which results in stools that are small, hard, and difficult for the body to pass, can be caused by a lack of fiber in the diet. Because of this, many doctors cite a low-fiber diet as one cause of diverticular disease.
Other non-dietary risk factors that may increase the likelihood of developing diverticulitis include:
Unlike diverticulosis, which usually does not cause any symptoms to develop, diverticulitis is typically accompanied by painful symptoms, including:
If you experience the symptoms of diverticulitis, you should speak with your doctor about possible treatment options right away, as the condition typically does not go away on its own, and diverticulitis can cause serious complications.
Most cases of diverticulitis can be resolved with non-surgical treatment, which may include an over-the-counter pain reliever such as acetaminophen (Tylenol), or a clear liquid diet (e.g., water, broth, honey, and plain gelatin). Your doctor may also prescribe antibiotics to eliminate any infection.
However, complicated cases of diverticulitis often require surgery. There are three common surgical procedures that your doctor may recommend if you experience complications from diverticulitis or if you have recurrent flare-ups of diverticulitis. They are:
Because constipation can lead to increased pressure in the bowels, which is known to weaken the muscles of the intestine and lead to a greater risk of developing diverticula, many doctors believe that the best way to keep this condition at bay is to eat a high-fiber diet.
Fiber prevents constipation by making stools softer and bulkier, which makes it easier for the intestine to push stools through to the rectum and out of the body.
There are several other ways to prevent diverticulitis, such as:
Sources:
You may not even know they're there, but diverticula small, marble-size pouches that form along the digestive tract are responsible for one of the most common medical conditions in the United States.
Diverticulosis the presence of these small pouches affects as many as one in 10 Americans over the age of 40, and about half of all people in the United States over 60, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
Most diverticula are harmless, and even if your doctor discovers these structures in your digestive tract (usually through a routine Xray or colonoscopy), you may never experience any symptoms.
However, in some cases, diverticula become inflamed or infected, leading to a painful condition known as diverticulitis.
Diverticula develop along the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, or digestive tract, which includes all of the body parts and organs that help you digest food.
While these pouches can develop in the esophagus (the tube that connects the mouth to the stomach), they are most commonly present in the intestines, especially the lowest and narrowest part of the large intestine, the sigmoid colon.
Your colon is made up of two layers. The outer layer, known as the intestinal wall, contains two groups of muscles: a circular muscle that rings the colon, and three long muscles that run the length of this tubeshaped organ. The inner layer of the colon is comprised of a soft tissue called the gastrointestinal mucosa.
Diverticula form when the inner, soft tissue layer of the intestine passes through the outer, muscular layer, forming a pocket or pouchlike bulge. This happens most often where the muscles of the intestine are weakest, particularly in the sigmoid colon.
Doctors and scientists are not entirely sure why diverticula form in the digestive tract. However, some studies have suggested that there's a link between diverticula and diet: People who eat a lowfiber diet are much more likely to develop diverticula than those who eat a diet high in fiber.
Following a low-fiber diet can lead to constipation, which in turn can lead to increased pressure in the GI tract and straining of the intestinal muscles during bowel movements. It's believed that this combination of pressure and straining weakens intestinal muscles over time, and these weakened muscles make it easier for diverticula to form.
Studies show that diverticula are more likely to develop in people over the age of 40. Additionally, men between 40 and 50 years old are increasingly more likely to develop these small, gastrointestinal pouches, according to a 2011 study from the World Journal of Gastroenterology.
About onethird of Americans develop diverticula by age 60, and twothirds develop them by age 85, according to a 2010 report from Harvard Health Publications.
Doctors are not exactly sure why the prevalence of diverticula increases with age, but some studies suggest that the formation of these pouches is also linked to obesity, consumption of red meat, and sedentary behavior.
If your doctor discovers diverticula in your digestive system, he or she will likely diagnose you with diverticular disease. Diverticular disease is a general diagnosis that covers two specific conditions: diverticulosis and diverticulitis. Though these conditions sound similar, they're actually quite different.
A diagnosis of diverticulosis simply means that diverticula are present in the digestive system. If you have this condition, you may not experience any symptoms at all, though some people with diverticulosis do experience symptoms, including cramping, bloating, constipation, and bleeding.
Unlike diverticulosis, diverticulitis is a serious condition that occurs when diverticula become inflamed or infected. Doctors aren't sure exactly why this occurs, but they believe it may be the result of bacteria from feces, or hardened pieces of stool/feces, which pass through the colon, becoming trapped inside diverticula pouches.
A Meckel's diverticulum is a pouch that develops on the outer wall of the small intestine when a child is in utero. When a baby's digestive tract is forming inside the womb, some tissue may be left over, causing this extra sac or bulge to develop.
Meckel's diverticula are not common and are only found in about two percent of all individuals. Most people who have this type of diverticulum do not develop any symptoms.
However, some children born with a Meckel's diverticulum do experience symptoms, often early in life, which may include pain in the abdomen and blood in the stool. These same symptoms may not occur until adulthood for some individuals.
People with a Meckel's diverticulum may need surgery to remove the structure if bleeding or other complications arise.
Sources:
Diverticulosis is a medical condition that occurs when small, pouch-like structures called diverticula form along the digestive tract.
These tiny, marble-sized bulges usually develop in the large intestine, as well as areas where digestive muscles are strained or weakened.
While diverticulosis is a very common condition the National Institutes of Health (NIH) report that it affects as many as one in every 10 Americans over the age of 40 many people with diverticulosis never know they have it, since its usually harmless and causes no pain.
In some cases, however, the condition can cause painful symptoms to develop and can lead to more serious medical conditions and complications, such as diverticulitis and diverticular bleeding.
Diverticulosis and diverticulitis are two distinct conditions, but both are types of diverticular disease. Diverticulosis simply describes the presence of diverticula in the digestive tract. Many people with this condition never feel any pain in their gut and don't have any symptoms.
However, some people with diverticulosis do show symptoms of having the condition, including:
Many of the symptoms of diverticulosis are similar to those of other digestive conditions, such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) or stomach ulcers. If you experience any of these symptoms, you should consult with your health care provider to determine the cause and discuss potential treatments.
Unlike diverticulosis, people with diverticulitis almost always experience symptoms. The condition occurs when diverticula become inflamed or infected.
Doctors arent sure why certain diverticula become inflamed, but they do know that this inflammation is caused by a thinning and breaking down of the tissue that makes up the diverticular wall.
Symptoms of diverticulitis vary depending on how many diverticula are inflamed and how inflamed they become. Such symptoms include abdominal pain or tenderness, changes in bowel habits, fever, chills, nausea, and vomiting.
If you experience symptoms of diverticulitis, you should speak with your doctor about possible treatment options.
Diverticulosis is most common in Western industrialized countries, like the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia.
In fact, the NIH reports that about one-third of all Americans will develop diverticulosis by age 60, and two-thirds of Americans will have the condition by age 85.
Doctors arent entirely sure what causes diverticulosis. However, the condition is most common in people over the age of 40, leading medical researchers to believe that age is a major risk factor. Diverticulosis also more commonly affects men, though studies have not yet shown why this is the case.
Another risk factor for diverticulosis is diet. According to the NIH and other sources, eating a low-fiber diet may increase your chances of developing diverticular disease. Not eating enough fiber can cause constipation, which can strain and weaken digestive muscles and make the development of diverticula more likely.
Other studies have linked diverticulosis to decreased levels of serotonin in the brain. And researchers have also found connections between diverticular disease and obesity, lack of exercise, smoking, eating red meat, and the use of certain medications, including narcotics, steroids, or painkillers known as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
Because many people with diverticulosis don't show any symptoms, the condition is usually diagnosed when a doctor performs a routine test, such as a colonoscopy. Blood tests, X-rays, and computerized tomography (CT) scans can also be used to diagnose diverticular disease.
If your doctor diagnoses you with this condition, but you're not affected by any symptoms, you likely will not receive any kind of treatment.
However, if your condition causes constipation, bloating, pain, abdominal cramping or other uncomfortable symptoms, your doctor may recommend one or more of the following treatment options:
While the majority of people with diverticulosis will remain symptom-free, approximately 10 to 25 percent of people with diverticulosis will eventually develop diverticulitis, according to the NIH.
If you start to exhibit the symptoms associated with diverticulitis, including abdominal pain, nausea, and fever, you should see your health care provider.
In rare cases, diverticulosis can also lead to diverticular bleeding, in which a person bleeds from the rectum during bowel movements. If you notice even a small amount of blood after a bowel movement, you should contact your healthcare provider immediately.
Sources:
Diverticulitis is a condition that occurs when diverticula pouch-like structures that form along the digestive tract become inflamed or infected.
Between 10 and 25 percent of people who have diverticula will develop diverticulitis, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
Doctors and scientists aren't exactly sure what causes diverticulitis, but there are several theories as to why diverticula in the digestive tract may become inflamed or infected. There are also many studies that help explain why diverticula develop in the first place.
Diverticula can develop anywhere along the digestive tract, which includes all of the body parts and organs that help you digest food, from your esophagus down to your stomach and intestines. However, most diverticula are found in the sigmoid colon, part of the large intestine.
The colon is made up of two layers: an outer layer made of muscle and an inner layer made of soft tissue. Diverticula form when the inner, soft tissue layer of the colon pushes through the outer, muscular layer, forming a pouch-like bulge.
Scientists are not certain what causes soft tissue to pass through digestive muscles, but studies have brought to light several potential explanations, the most widely accepted of which has to do with diet.
Much of what doctors know about the cause of diverticulitis is based on research published in 1971 by Neil Painter and Denis Burkitt. Their research suggests that diverticula develop more commonly in people in industrialized countries who generally follow a low-fiber diet.
Fiber, or plant material, serves an important role in digestion by absorbing water, leading to a softer stool that flows more smoothly through the colon. A lack of fiber can cause constipation, which makes stools harder and more difficult to pass, putting stress on the muscles of the colon.
And since diverticula typically form in areas where digestive muscles are strained or weakened, constipation may make the development of diverticula more likely.
A handful of other studies have suggested a connection between low-fiber diets and diverticula formation, leading doctors to recommend high-fiber diets or fiber supplements to people with diverticula.
However, a 2012 study, published in the journal Gastroenterology, suggests that a diet too high in fiber may also lead to the development of diverticula.
The study found that high-fiber diets can cause increased bowel movements, which may also put undue stress on the colon and increase the likelihood of diverticula formation.
Another study, published in 2013 in the journal Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology, casts doubt on the widely accepted link between a low-fiber diet and diverticulosis. After examining the medical histories (including colonoscopy results) of more than 2,000 people, researchers concluded "neither constipation nor a low-fiber diet was associated with an increased risk of diverticulosis."
There are also many studies that suggest other, non-dietary factors may contribute to the development of diverticula, including:
Doctors and scientists also have several theories about why diverticula become inflamed or infected, leading to the condition known as diverticulitis.
The most widely accepted theory is that increased pressure in the colon, which may be caused by constipation or other digestive problems, leads to a thinning or breakdown of the diverticular wall, which then leads to inflammation or infection.
Another theory proposes that the narrow openings of diverticula trap fecal matter and bacteria, which can lead to infection. Still another theory suggests that some other material may become lodged in the opening of a diverticulum, which can lead to inflammation.
This last theory explains why, for decades, doctors advised people with diverticulosis not to eat nuts, seeds, or popcorn, which they believed could block the openings of diverticula and lead to flare-ups of diverticulitis.
However, research has never proven that eating these foods increases the risk of developing diverticulitis, so doctors no longer warn their patients away from such foods.
Sources:
Diverticulitis is a condition that occurs when diverticula small pouches that form in the muscular walls of the digestive tract become inflamed or infected.
While not everyone who has diverticula is affected by this condition, those who develop diverticulitis may experience a range of symptoms, from nausea and vomiting to painful abdominal cramps.
Because diverticula can occur anywhere along the gastrointestinal tract, from the esophagus to the sigmoid colon, and because diverticulitis varies in severity on a case-by-case basis, symptoms of diverticulitis show up differently in every individual.
People with diverticula in their digestive tract may be symptom-free for long periods of time.
However, if one or more diverticulum becomes infected, the following signs and symptoms may emerge:
If you experience any of these symptoms, you should consult with your healthcare provider. Most cases of diverticulitis (about 75 percent) can be treated with rest, oral antibiotics, and a clear-liquid diet.
However, leaving symptoms untreated can lead to serious complications, some of which are life-threatening.
The most common symptom of diverticulitis is a sharp pain in the lower-left abdomen. Some people compare the pain of diverticulitis to appendicitis, an infection of the appendix.
However, appendicitis pain occurs in the lower-right abdomen, where the appendix is located. Diverticulitis typically causes pain in the lower left abdomen, which corresponds to the location of the sigmoid colon (though the condition can, in a few cases, cause pain in the lower-right abdominal area).
Diverticulitis pain can come on suddenly and severely or it may increase in severity over a period of days. Diverticulitis pain can also fluctuate in intensity.
Ultimately, the degree of pain you experience from a flare-up of diverticulitis depends on the severity of the inflammation or infection that's affecting diverticula, and on whether an infection has spread to other areas of your body.
If the diverticulitis pain you experience grows increasingly severe, or if it is accompanied by a fever of over 100 degrees Fahrenheit, you should speak with your doctor. These may be signs that complications from the condition have developed.
In some cases, people who have diverticula may notice blood in their stool as a result of diverticular bleeding. Diverticular bleeding occurs when one or more small arteries located within a diverticulum are eroded and bleed into the colon.
About 50 percent of people who experience diverticular bleeding will notice maroon or bright red blood in their stools. In most cases, this symptom is painless and will resolve on its own.
However, because rectal bleeding can be indicative of serious health conditions, like colon cancer or internal bleeding, you should see your doctor right away to determine the cause of this symptom.
In some rare cases, diverticular bleeding can be very severe, a complication known as diverticular hemorrhage.
This situation is most common in elderly patients and typically results in weakness or lightheadedness and the appearance of large amounts of blood in the stool.
Diverticular hemorrhage typically requires hospitalization and may require a blood transfusion. In some cases, surgery may be required to remove the segment of the colon containing the bleeding diverticulum.
While about 75 percent of diverticulitis cases are simple or uncomplicated, approximately 25 percent of cases are complicated, resulting in serious health problems that may require emergency medical attention.
Some of the complications of diverticulitis include:
If you experience any of these advanced symptoms from diverticulitis, this may be an indication that a complication has developed:
Sources:
As many as one in 10 Americans over the age of 40 has diverticula, or pouch-like bulges, somewhere in their digestive tract, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
These marble-sized pouches usually go undetected until they are discovered during a routine test or screening for another condition.
However, some people discover they have diverticula when they experience a painful condition, known as diverticulitis, in which diverticula become inflamed or infected.
Some of the same tests that are used to screen for colon cancer and other conditions can also be used to diagnose diverticulitis.
Doctors often perform routine procedures in people over the age of 50 to screen for colorectal cancer, check for precancerous polyps in the lining of the colon or rectum, or determine the source of rectal bleeding.
These tests, which can also be used to diagnose diverticular disease, include:
If your most recent trip to the gastroenterologist revealed that diverticula are present in your digestive system, don't worry.
According to the NIH, the majority of people with diverticulosis the condition that describes the presence of diverticula in the digestive tract never develop any symptoms.
And studies have found that only 10 to 25 percent of people diagnosed with diverticulosis ever develop diverticulitis.
A 2013 study by researchers at the University of North Carolina School of Medicine puts the likelihood of developing diverticulitis even lower, at just one percent.
Unlike diverticulosis, which usually does not cause any symptoms, diverticulitis results in a range of painful symptoms, such as abdominal pain, swelling, nausea, vomiting, constipation, diarrhea, and fever.
If you are having these symptoms of diverticulitis, your doctor will likely follow these steps to make a diagnosis:
The most common tests used to diagnose diverticulitis are:
Sources:
Diverticulitis is a painful condition that occurs when small, pouch-like structures along the digestive tract, called diverticula, become inflamed or infected.
Most cases of diverticulitis, about 75 percent, are uncomplicated and can be resolved without hospitalization.
However, some 25 percent of diverticulitis cases lead to complications that require hospitalization or surgery because these problems can be life-threatening. You should speak with your doctor immediately if you have diverticulitis and experience any of the following symptoms:
Some of the complications that can result from diverticulitis include:
An abscess is a walled-off collection of white blood cells and bacteria commonly known as pus that forms inside your body. Abscesses are typically accompanied by swelling and inflammation, and can cause abdominal tenderness and severe abdominal pain.
In the case of diverticulitis, abscesses form when the infection from a diverticulum spreads from your large intestine to other areas of your body. Most commonly, diverticular abscesses appear in the pelvic area or in the mesentery, the tissue that connects your intestines to the back wall of your abdomen.
Only about 15 percent of people with diverticulitis develop abscesses, and for those who do, there are a number of treatments for diverticulitis that do not involve surgery. Some small abscesses (less than two centimeters in diameter) may resolve on their own with the help of antibiotics.
However, larger abscesses may need to be drained using a thin plastic catheter inserted through the skin, a process known as percutaneous catheter drainage.
If, for some reason, your doctor cannot treat a diverticular abscess using a catheter, he or she may recommend surgery to create an opening in the skin, called a stoma, from which the abscess can be drained.
Peritonitis is an infection of the peritoneum, the silk-like membrane that lines the inside of your abdomen. Diverticular peritonitis occurs when the infection from a diverticulum spreads outward from a perforation or hole in the wall of the colon into the abdominal cavity.
Symptoms of peritonitis include severe abdominal pain, fever and chills, nausea, vomiting, and bloating of the abdomen.
Unlike in an abscess, the bacteria that cause peritonitis are not confined to one small area, but can spread throughout the entire body.
For this reason, peritonitis is considered a life-threatening complication of diverticulitis and should be treated immediately.
Patients who experience peritonitis as a result of diverticulitis usually undergo emergency surgery, which removes the infected part of the colon. A second surgery is then necessary to rejoin healthy sections of the colon.
A fistula is an abnormal passageway that can develop between two hollow organs, such as the colon and the bladder, or between an organ and the inner wall of the body.
A diverticular fistula can form if an infected diverticulum is touching or in close proximity to another organ. If the diverticulum ruptures, the infection can spread to the other organ, forming a passage between the two organs.
Fistulas are more common in men than in women. However, women who have had a hysterectomy are at a higher risk of developing this complication because the uterus, which normally separates the large intestine from the bladder, has been removed.
Diverticular fistulas commonly form between the colon and the bladder and can lead to a bladder infection or a urinary tract infection (UTI). Fistulas may also form between the colon and other organs or body parts, such as the small intestine, uterus, vagina, abdominal wall, or thigh.
Bowel obstruction, intestinal blockage, and stricture formation all describe complications that can arise from diverticulitis.
In some cases, inflammation from diverticulitis can narrow the intestinal cavity, making it difficult for waste to pass through the body. This narrowing of the bowel is known as a stricture.
If a stricture is the result of inflammation, it will usually resolve on its own once inflammation subsides. However, strictures can also be the result of recurrent episodes of diverticulitis. Over time, diverticular inflammation can lead to scarring inside the intestine, causing the intestinal passageway to become narrower. The resulting complication is known as a non-inflammatory stricture and may require surgery to correct.
If the bowels become completely blocked by scarring, this is known as intestinal blockage or bowel obstruction. These complications are life-threatening, as they can lead to a ruptured intestine and peritonitis.
Complete blockage of the bowels requires emergency surgery to correct. People with this condition will often feel extreme abdominal pain and nausea and wont be able to pass gas or have bowel movements.
Diverticular bleeding occurs when small arteries inside a diverticulum erode, causing blood to leak into the colon. People who experience diverticular bleeding may notice maroon or bright red blood in their stool. This is usually painless bleeding.
In most cases, this problem will resolve on its own. However, rectal bleeding can also be a symptom of other health issues, such as colon cancer. Therefore, if you experience this complication, you should see your health care provider to determine its cause.
Rarely, diverticular hemorrhaging can also occur. This complication, which usually affects elderly patients, causes weakness or lightheadedness and the appearance of large amounts of blood in the stool.
Diverticular hemorrhage is a serious complication and typically requires hospitalization. In some cases, people may require a blood transfusion, as well as surgery to remove the segment of the colon containing the bleeding diverticulum.
Anecdotal evidence has long supported the belief that diverticulitis can cause irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), a gastrointestinal disorder that leads to abdominal pain and discomfort. But until recently, little data existed to support this belief.
However, a 2013 study published in the journal Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology suggests that patients with diverticulitis may be at a higher risk of developing IBS and other functional bowel disorders. The researchers call this complication "postdiverticulitis IBS."
Sources:
Diverticula are small, pouch-like structures that develop along the digestive tract.
People with diverticula are typically diagnosed as having a condition called diverticulosis, which is usually painless and causes no symptoms.
However, if diverticula become inflamed or infected, a doctor may diagnose you with diverticulitis.
Unlike diverticulosis, which usually needs no treatment, diverticulitis symptoms usually require medical attention.
The kind of treatment you receive for diverticulitis will depend on whether your case is simple or complicated. Simple diverticulitis accounts for about 75 percent of all diverticulitis cases and can usually be treated without surgery.
Complicated diverticulitis accounts for some 25 percent of cases and usually requires surgery.
Diverticulitis occurs when diverticula become inflamed or infected.
If you are generally in good health and the inflammation or infection you are experiencing is not severe, your doctor will likely proceed with these non-surgical, at-home treatments:
With these treatments, symptoms of diverticulitis usually clear up within 48 to 72 hours. Your doctor will likely schedule several follow-up visits to assess your condition.
If you experience increasing pain, fever or an inability to tolerate fluids, you may need to be hospitalized, as these symptoms may indicate that complications from diverticulitis have developed.
Your doctor may also recommend hospitalization to treat diverticulitis if you have the following characteristics or symptoms:
Once your symptoms have improved, your doctor may recommend the gradual reintroduction of solid foods into your diet. Most diverticulitis patients are told to follow a high-fiber diet.
Fiber, which is present in whole grains, fruits, and vegetables, serves an important role in digestion by softening stool and helping it flow more smoothly through the colon.
A lack of fiber can cause constipation, which makes stools harder and more difficult to pass, putting stress on the colon that may lead to inflammation or infection of diverticula and subsequent bouts of diverticulitis.
The recommended amount of dietary fiber is usually 20 to 35 grams per day. Cereals, grains, fruits, vegetables, and nuts are all good sources of dietary fiber.
Though food is the best source of fiber, if dietary restrictions prevent you from consuming all the fiber you need at meals, your doctor may recommend fiber supplements.
Some doctors may also recommend other supplements, such as glutamine (an amino acid that aids digestion), fish oil (high in omega-3 fatty acids), flaxseed, or probiotics (which help to maintain intestinal health).
You should always consult with your doctor before adding a new supplement to your diet, particularly if you have diverticulitis or other health conditions.
Most people with diverticulitis respond well to non-surgical treatments.
However, about 15 to 30 percent of diverticulitis patients may require surgery, either because they are not responding to treatments or because their condition is complicated by other issues.
Your doctor may also recommend surgery if you have experienced several flare-ups of diverticulitis. Only seven to 35 percent of patients experience recurrent episodes of diverticulitis, according the American Academy of Family Physicians, but those that do may stop responding to antibiotic treatments, which can lead to complications.
Surgery that removes the affected part of your digestive tract can prevent these complications from arising.
Your doctor may ask you to consider elective surgery if you meet the following criteria:
If you and your doctor decide that surgery is the best course of action, the following procedures may be considered:
Traditionally, surgeons performed bowel resections and colectomies by making one long, vertical incision in a patient's abdomen.
However, surgeons now also perform what is known as a laparoscopic surgery, in which several small incisions are made in the abdomen, usually near the belly button. Instruments and a viewing tube called a laparoscope are then inserted into the abdomen to facilitate the surgery.
Recent studies have shown that laparoscopic surgery may result in better short- and long-term outcomes for patients than traditional open surgery. Recovery times and hospital stays for this procedure may be shorter, allowing patients to return to daily activities sooner after surgery.
However, like any surgical procedure, laparoscopic colectomies and bowel resections are not without risks, and you should speak with your doctor about both the benefits and risks of these procedures before you decide on a course of action.
Sources:
For those with diverticular disease, preventing painful inflammation of diverticula small bulges that form along the digestive tract is of the utmost importance.
While there is no sure-fire way to keep inflammation from occurring, some doctors believe that eating a high-fiber diet may help.
Following a high-fiber diet helps prevent constipation, which can lead to increased pressure in the colon and may make infection or inflammation of diverticula more likely.
Many researchers believe that the primary cause of diverticula is too little fiber in the diet. This belief stems in part from research published in 1971 by Neil Painter and Denis Burkitt, who found that diverticula develop more often in people in industrialized countries who eat processed foods that do not provide the recommended amount of dietary fiber.
People in Africa and Asia, places where high-fiber diets are common, rarely suffer from diverticular disease, the researchers found.
Fiber, or plant material, serves an important role in the digestive process, softening stool and helping it move more smoothly through the colon. A lack of fiber can cause constipation, which makes stools harder and more difficult to pass, putting stress on the muscles of the colon.
And since diverticula typically form in areas where digestive muscles are strained or weakened, constipation may make the development of diverticula more likely.
Because constipation causes pressure to build up in the colon, it may also lead to inflammation or infection of diverticula that are already present in the colon, causing the painful condition known as diverticulitis.
In the decades since the 1971 research was published, a few other studies have been conducted that also show a connection between low-fiber diets and diverticula formation, leading doctors to recommend high-fiber diets or fiber supplements to people with diverticula.
But there have also been studies that suggest eating too much fiber may lead to diverticular disease by causing more frequent bowel movements.
And in 2013, a study published in the journal Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology questioned the supposed link between a low-fiber diet and diverticulosis.
After examining the medical histories of more than 2,000 people, the researchers concluded neither constipation nor a low-fiber diet was associated with an increased risk of diverticulosis.
However, more research is needed on the connection if any between high-fiber diets and diverticula formation.
The recommended amount of dietary fiber is 20 to 35 grams per day. There are two kinds of fiber found naturally in the foods you eat:
Most plant-based foods contain both soluble and insoluble fiber. However, some foods contain more of one kind of fiber than the other. To ensure you're getting enough of each, be sure to consume a wide variety of high-fiber foods, including:
For many years, doctors advised people with diverticulosis not to eat nuts, seeds, or popcorn, which they believed could block the openings of diverticula and lead to flare-ups of diverticulitis.
However, research has never proven that eating these foods increases the risk of developing diverticulitis, and doctors no longer make this recommendation.
Because foods that are high in fiber are typically also high in vitamins and other nutrients, it's best to get the fiber you need from food.
But if dietary restrictions prevent you from consuming all the fiber you need at meals, your doctor may recommend fiber supplements.
Psyllium, which is present in supplements like Metamucil and Konsyl, is one fiber option. This supplement may be sold as a powder or liquid, in granules, capsules, or as a wafer.
Methylcellulose-based supplements, like Citrucel, are typically sold in powder or granular form.
While doctors may cite a high-fiber diet as the best way to keep diverticular disease at bay, there are several other ways you can maintain good digestive health. To prevent diverticula from forming:
Sources:
Diverticula are pouch-like structures that form along the digestive tract, usually in areas where the muscles used in digestion have been weakened by strain or pressure.
While diverticula can form anywhere along your digestive or gastrointestinal (GI) tract, most diverticula form in the narrowest part of the large intestine, the sigmoid colon.
The sigmoid colon is the part of your large intestine that connects your descending colon to your rectum. The name "sigmoid" refers to the S-like shape of this part of the intestine, which is about 18 inches (45 centimeters) long.
The colon, like the rest of the large intestine, is responsible for absorbing water from bodily waste and breaking it down so that it can complete its journey through the digestive system.
The colon has two sets of muscles that help move waste from one segment of the colon to the next: a circular muscle that rings the colon and three long muscles that run the length of the tube-shaped intestine.
Apart from its muscular outer wall, your colon is also lined with soft tissue known as gastrointestinal mucosa. Diverticula form in the colon when this soft tissue layer pushes through the outer, muscular layer, forming a bulge on the outside of the intestine.
Diverticula tend to form in places where the muscles of the colon are weakest, and over 90 percent of all colonic diverticula form in the sigmoid colon.
As the narrowest segment of the large intestine, and the segment closest to the rectum (the part of the intestine that stores feces until a bowel movement occurs), the sigmoid colon is often subject to the straining and pressure increases that can weaken the colonic muscles over time.
Because diverticula most commonly form in the sigmoid colon, this is the area of your body most frequently affected by diverticulitis, a condition in which diverticula become inflamed or infected.
Most cases of diverticulitis, about 75 percent, are uncomplicated, and can be resolved with antibiotics and other treatments. However, about 25 percent of cases result in complications, which can affect the sigmoid colon and its surrounding areas.
One of the diverticulitis complications that can arise from an advanced case of the condition is known as a perforated colon. This occurs when severe inflammation or infection of a diverticulum causes the diverticular wall to rupture or tear.
Because the colon contains the body's waste, when a diverticular wall is eroded, waste can exit the intestine and enter other areas of the body, particularly the abdominal cavity.
A perforated colon can lead to a very serious condition known as peritonitis, an infection of the inner lining of the abdominal wall, or peritoneum.
Left untreated, peritonitis can spread to other parts of the body and can be life-threatening.
Infections of diverticula on the sigmoid colon can also lead to abscesses, which are swollen, pus-filled areas just outside the colon wall.
Some abscesses can be treated using a procedure known as a percutaneous catheter drainage, in which a catheter is inserted into the abdomen through the skin. However, in some cases, abscesses in areas adjacent to the colon require surgery to fix.
Repeated flare-ups of diverticulitis can also lead to scarring within the sigmoid colon. This scarring causes the colon to become more narrow and may make it difficult, or even impossible, for waste material to move out of the body.
Known as a stricture or intestinal blockage, this complication can be very dangerous and requires surgery to correct.
Sources:
Source: http://www.everydayhealth.com
We respect your privacy and aim for the best website experience in compliance with local laws. Allowing cookies enables a tailored experience, while disabling them may reduce personalization. For more information, please read our Privacy Policy and Cookie Policy.