Juliet Cohen

Colonic Diverticulitis Information

There are many causes of colonic diverticulitis.

Colonic diverticulosis is among the most common diseases of developed Western countries. Colonic diverticuli are mucosal outpouchings that usually appear with aging mainly in the left colon,leading to what we call diverticular disease. Diverticulitis develops from diverticulosis, which involves the formation of pouches on the outside of the colon. Diverticulitis results if one of these diverticula becomes inflamed. In the United States, diverticulosis occurs in approximately one third of the population older than age 45 and in up to two thirds of the population older than age 85 and it also affects a significant proportion of younger adults. Most patients with diverticular disease have no or few symptoms, some patients will develop bleeding, infection constipation, abdominal cramps, and even colon obstruction.

Diverticulitis occurs when diverticula become infected or inflamed. Abnormal contraction and spasm may cause diverticula to form in a weak spot of the intestinal wall. Most fiber in the human diet is of plant origin and this type of fiber binds water and salt within the colon leading to bulkier and more voluminous stools. Low fiber diets may play a role in the development of diverticulosis. In rural Africa where the diet is high in roughage, diverticulosis is rare. There also appears to be a genetic predisposition to diverticulosis. High pressure may develop in parts of your gut when it squeezes hard stools. The increased pressure may push the inner lining of a small area of your gut through the muscle wall to form a small diverticulum.

Symptoms of colonic diverticulitis is lower abdomen, bloating, and/or a change in bowel habits. Acute diverticulitis is usually treated with conservative medical management, including bowel rest (ie, nothing by mouth), IV fluid resuscitation, and broad-spectrum antibiotics which cover anaerobic bacteria and gram-negative rods. In some cases surgery may be required to remove the area of the colon with the diverticula. A high-fiber diet and, occasionally, mild pain medications will help relieve symptoms in most cases. Several antibiotics include ciprofloxacin (Cipro), metronidazole (Flagyl), cephalexin (Keflex), and doxycycline (Vibramycin) also recommended. Sometimes instructed to avoid foods that contain undigestible particles such as popcorn, nuts and fruits with small seeds.

Colonic Diverticulitis Treatment and Prevention Tips

1. Eat lots of high fibre foods and fibre supplements.

2. Surgery is needed for those with persistent bowel obstruction.

3. Mild pain medications will help relieve symptoms in most cases.

4. Avoid foods that contain undigestible particles such as popcorn, nuts and fruits with small seeds.

5. A temporary colostomy may be required during surgery for complicated diverticulitis.

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