One of your body's most important systems is your digestive tract. It often works fine without a problem, but small pouches can develop in the colon. These small pouches can form when the inside layer of the tract pushes out through a weak spot. They can be found anywhere along the tract. Most often, they occur on the left side of your large intestine. This area is known as the descending and sigmoid colon. The pouches are known as diverticulosis. When one or more of these pouches gets inflamed, the condition is called diverticulitis.
DiverticulitisOne of your body's most important systems is your digestive tract. It often works fine without a problem, but small pouches can develop in the colon. These small pouches can form when the inside layer of the tract pushes out through a weak spot. They can be found anywhere along the tract. Most often, they occur on the left side of your large intestine. This area is known as the descending and sigmoid colon. The pouches are known as diverticulosis. When one or more of these pouches gets inflamed, the condition is called diverticulitis.CausesHealthcare providers don't know why some people get these pouches. Certain things are more likely to make these pouches irritated, swollen, or inflamed. There is some proof that diet, lifestyle, and medicines can do this. Excess weight, smoking, and not enough exercise can make symptoms worse. Healthcare providers used to think that diverticulitis could because by foods. For example, they thought that corn kernels, nuts, or seeds could get trapped inside a pouch, but now, this is not thought to be the case. But not eating enough fruits, vegetables, or grains may raise your risk of getting diverticulitis.SymptomsPouches alone may not cause any symptoms, but if the pouches are inflamed, you will likely have one or more symptoms. The most common symptom is sudden pain in the lower-left belly. Other symptoms include pain when pushing in on the belly, especially on the lower left side, cramping, constipation or diarrhea, nausea or vomiting, fever or chills, and loss of appetite.DiagnosisYou may first find out you have pouches when your healthcare provider does a colonoscopy. This is a test to check for polyps, or cancer, in the colon, or large intestine. It's done by placing a thin, flexible tube into your colon through your rectum.The pouches may also be seen if you have an X-ray, such as a CT scan, done of your belly. Your healthcare provider can sometimes diagnose diverticulitis from your symptoms and by checking your belly for tenderness. He or she may also do a blood test to see if your white blood cells are high. This is a sign of infection. Do a CT scan of your belly. This is a special X-ray that is guided by a computer.TreatmentTreatment will depend on your condition. A mild case can be treated at home. It will clear up in a few days with rest. You may need to be on a liquid diet until your symptoms go away. Your healthcare provider may prescribe medicines. These can include antibiotics and pain relievers. If your condition is bad, you may need a short hospital stay. This is so you can get fluids and antibiotics through an IV.In some cases, you may need surgery. This may be done to drain a pocket of pus called an abscess, or it may be done to remove part of the colon.PreventionHealthcare providers don't know for sure if pouches can be prevented. Getting lots of fiber in your diet may help to reduce your risk of diverticulitis. Be sure to eat plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. You may also be less likely to have problems if you exercise regularly, maintain a healthy weight, do not smoke, do not take nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen and aspirin. Don't stop taking a medicine your healthcare provider has given you. Talk with him or her first.What you can doLet your healthcare provider know right away if you have symptoms. Also make sure to cut back on red, fatty meat and other foods that are high in fat. Ask your healthcare provider if you should use an over-the-counter fiber supplement. Quit smoking if you smoke. Lose weight if you are overweight. Do not take NSAIDs, such as ibuprofen and aspirin. Talk with your healthcare provider about alternatives.What we have learnedDiverticulitis is when one or more small pouches that have formed in the large intestine become inflamed. True or false? The answer is true.The most common symptom of diverticulitis is a pain in the lower-left belly. True or false? The answer is true.You can't lower your risk of diverticulitis with exercise and a healthy diet. True or false? The answer is false.
Date Last Reviewed: 01/01/2021
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