A diet that is low in fiber results to strains in the colon area resulting to pouches forming in the lining. Diverticulitis is the condition when several pouches developed in the colon. This condition affects millions of people in the world especially in Western countries.
The colon is an important part of the body as it holds the food waste in the body and is responsible for transporting the stool towards the rectum and anus. The colon absorbs water, which results to the solidification of the waste material. A healthy colon can easily help the digestive system in removing waste; however if there is a lack of fiber, the waste material becomes hard causing the muscles to work harder. The extra pressure that the colon muscle has to exert results to the lining developing bulges or pouches called diverticula.
Diverticulosis happens when these pouches develop and this usually occurs in the lower left side of the colon or the sigmoid colon. Although the pouches develop, some may not experience it from occurring unless it is accidentally diagnose when the patient undergo exams for other health conditions. Some patients may experience bloating, mild cramping, changes in the bowel habit of the person and some bleeding.
When the pouches become inflamed or infected, the patient is diagnosed with diverticulitis. The swelling or inflammation of the pouches and the exact cause of it are unknown but the possibilities of stool or fecal matter and the bacteria trapped in it cause the inflammation. Some patients may experience acute diverticulitis and recover with home treatment or lifestyle changes while other patients may have to undergo surgery if complications arise.
Signs and Symptoms
If the patient has diverticulosis, he or she may not experience any symptoms or if they do, mild ones, which often is, misdiagnosed as other gastrointestinal disorder. Nearly half of the US seniors or elderly have diverticulosis.
Patients that are diagnosed with diverticulitis experience fever due to infection; they may also feel chills and nauseous. Other signs may also include rectal bleeding where some of the blood vessels have burst. The bleeding may stop as the body repairs itself. If the bleeding is continuous, patients need to go and talk with their physicians, as this can be a sign of inflammation in the body.
Diagnosis
To determine if the condition is diverticulosis, the doctor will request some diagnostic test to be performed including X-ray, blood test, colonoscopy and CT scanning. These tests can help the doctor decide if the patient only needs outpatient care or if they need to be admitted for surgery.
Serious complications may arise especially if heavy bleeding occurs, as this can be a sign of blood vessels rupturing internally. For those who want to learn more or suspect that they may have this medical condition, it is important to talk with your health care provider so they can refer you to a specialist surgeon to check your overall health.
Diverticulitis Healing And Recovery Time – Using Probiotics And High Fiber Diet
If you are diagnosed with diverticulitis, it will not go away. However, you can prevent the attacks from recurring by following the recommended diet of your doctor as well as making other changes in your life.
Better Guts, Better Life - Acute Diverticulitis
Acute Diverticulitis is one of the most common digestive condition that affects individuals who are into their 60s. The condition can be resolve through proper treatment and lifestyle modification, but recurrent attacks would require more medical intervention.
What is Diverticulitis Disease
Diverticulitis is a condition where pouches that developed in the intestinal wall becomes inflammed or infected. To know more about this condition, risk factors and treatments, read the provided article below.
