Diverticular disease is one of the common digestive conditions that is encountered by general surgeon especially in western countries and contributes to the increase in outpatient visits. In the US alone, almost 312,000 patients are admitted for diverticular disease. Although traditionally the problem is exclusive to patients in their late 60s, studies have revealed that the age bracket has lowered down and incidence of younger patients are reported.
What is Acute Diverticulitis?
As the body ages, the body's ability to heal itself and protect itself lessens, and stress as well as eating habits can contribute to many health ailments. Although the cause of this digestive condition is unknown, many scientists believe that the pouches that develop in the colon lining resulted from stress as well as poor eating habits.
The pouches itself do not cause the pain; however, once these become inflamed or infected, it results to the condition known as diverticulitis. Acute diverticulitis flare-ups are often mild attacks and can be healed through home treatments. Repeated attacks of pain and other symptoms as well as bleeding would indicate a more serious complication and might require surgery.
Symptoms of Diverticulitis
One of the common symptoms for this condition is suffering from either extreme constipation or diarrhea. As the symptom is common for other digestive conditions, some people have been misdiagnosed for irritable bowel syndrome or lactose intolerance.
Another symptom would be a tenderness in the lower left side of the abdomen combined with persistent pain. Some patients can identify between a regular pain and acute pain; however other patients who have not experienced such pain might find it excruciating for mild/regular ones. In certain instances, frequent gas or flatulence might also be experienced accompanied by a feeling of being full/bloated. For patients that are into high fiber diets, it is recommended to opt for a low fiber diet and gradually build up to allow the stomach to adjust and decrease the gas issues.
When the abdominal pain is accompanied by fever and neither medications nor showering lowers the body temperature, the patient may be experiencing an infection. Infection is often due to the bacteria trapped in the sacs or pouches, which might contain fecal matter. Some may also experience nausea and vomiting. Due to the pain that one experience in their abdomen area, some may also lose their appetite.
Home treatment such as prescribed medicine coupled with change of diet often help people who are experiencing acute diverticulitis. Often the change to the diet has to be permanent in order to prevent any future flare-ups or attacks.
Medical Disclaimer: The medical information provided is for information purposes only, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. This information is not intended to be patient education, does not create any patient-physician relationship, and should not be used as a substitute for professional diagnosis and treatment.
What is Acute Diverticulitis?
As the body ages, the body's ability to heal itself and protect itself lessens, and stress as well as eating habits can contribute to many health ailments. Although the cause of this digestive condition is unknown, many scientists believe that the pouches that develop in the colon lining resulted from stress as well as poor eating habits.
The pouches itself do not cause the pain; however, once these become inflamed or infected, it results to the condition known as diverticulitis. Acute diverticulitis flare-ups are often mild attacks and can be healed through home treatments. Repeated attacks of pain and other symptoms as well as bleeding would indicate a more serious complication and might require surgery.
Symptoms of Diverticulitis
One of the common symptoms for this condition is suffering from either extreme constipation or diarrhea. As the symptom is common for other digestive conditions, some people have been misdiagnosed for irritable bowel syndrome or lactose intolerance.
Another symptom would be a tenderness in the lower left side of the abdomen combined with persistent pain. Some patients can identify between a regular pain and acute pain; however other patients who have not experienced such pain might find it excruciating for mild/regular ones. In certain instances, frequent gas or flatulence might also be experienced accompanied by a feeling of being full/bloated. For patients that are into high fiber diets, it is recommended to opt for a low fiber diet and gradually build up to allow the stomach to adjust and decrease the gas issues.
When the abdominal pain is accompanied by fever and neither medications nor showering lowers the body temperature, the patient may be experiencing an infection. Infection is often due to the bacteria trapped in the sacs or pouches, which might contain fecal matter. Some may also experience nausea and vomiting. Due to the pain that one experience in their abdomen area, some may also lose their appetite.
Home treatment such as prescribed medicine coupled with change of diet often help people who are experiencing acute diverticulitis. Often the change to the diet has to be permanent in order to prevent any future flare-ups or attacks.
Medical Disclaimer: The medical information provided is for information purposes only, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. This information is not intended to be patient education, does not create any patient-physician relationship, and should not be used as a substitute for professional diagnosis and treatment.