Diverticulitis: Dr. Good Deed Explains These Gut Disorders

Diverticular diseases can really hurt your gut. But, Dr. Good Deed, can help you understand them better. Diverticulosis is when small pouches form in the colon wall. It affects up to half of American adults by age 60¹.

Not everyone with diverticulosis feels symptoms. But, up to 30% will get a flare-up called diverticulitis¹.

Diverticulitis happens when these pouches get inflamed or infected. It causes severe pain, fever, and changes in bowel habits. Dr. Good Deed will explain the causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatments for both conditions. This way, you can manage these gut disorders and keep your colon healthy.

What is Diverticulosis and Diverticulitis?

Diverticulosis is a common condition where small, bulging pouches, called diverticula, develop in the colon. These pouches form in the lower part of the colon and are more common in older adults². Over 70% of people over 80 have diverticulosis².

Diverticulosis: Small Pouches in the Colon Wall

These pouches are known as diverticulosis. Most people with diverticulosis don’t have symptoms or problems³. But sometimes, a pouch can get inflamed or infected, leading to diverticulitis.

Diverticulitis: Inflammation of the Diverticula

Diverticulitis happens when the diverticula get inflamed or infected. It causes severe pain, fever, nausea, and changes in bowel habits². Less than 15% of people with diverticulosis get diverticulitis². If you have symptoms, see a doctor right away.

How Common are Diverticulosis and Diverticulitis?

Diverticulosis is very common, especially in older adults in the U.S. Over 30% of U.S. adults between 50 and 59, and more than 70% of those over 80, have it⁴. The good news is that only about 5% of people with diverticulosis get diverticulitis⁴.

Diverticulitis, which is inflammation of the diverticula, leads to about 200,000 hospitalizations each year in the U.S⁴. It’s more common in men under 50, but in those 50 and older, it’s more common in women⁴. Also, diverticulitis is more common in white Americans, while diverticular bleeding is more common in Black Americans in the U.S⁴.

Diverticular bleeding, a serious complication of diverticulosis, results in about 71,000 hospitalizations each year in the U.S⁴. Knowing how common these colon health issues are is key. It helps people take steps to keep their digestive system healthy.

While diverticulosis is common, the risk of diverticulitis can be lowered. A high-fiber diet can help prevent diverticulitis compared to a low-fiber diet⁵. Staying at a healthy weight and exercising regularly can also help prevent diverticulitis and bleeding⁵. Not smoking and using fewer non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can also lower the risk of diverticulitis⁵.

Symptoms of Diverticulitis

One of the most common symptoms of diverticulitis is sudden and intense pain in the lower left abdomen⁶. This pain may get worse or change over time⁶. Other symptoms include nausea, fever, and tenderness in the abdomen. You might also notice changes in your bowel habits like diarrhea or constipation⁶.

Abdominal Pain and Cramping

The pain from diverticulitis is often severe and in the lower left abdomen, especially in Europeans⁶. Asians might feel pain in the upper right quadrant⁶. This pain can be accompanied by cramping that may get worse or change.

Fever, Chills, and Severe Pain

In severe cases, people may have fever, chills, and intense pain that needs immediate medical help⁶. Complications like bleeding, obstruction, and abscesses are rare but serious⁶. Signs of these complications include fresh blood in stool, paleness, and frequent urination⁶.

It’s important to know that⁷ diverticula are common after 50⁷. About 15 percent of people with diverticulitis face complications⁷. Regular exercise can help, but smoking and heavy drinking increase the risk⁷.

Diverticular Bleeding

Diverticular bleeding is a common problem with diverticulosis. This is when small pouches, called diverticula, form in the colon wall⁸. These pouches can bleed because the blood vessels near them get damaged over time⁸.

When a blood vessel bursts, it can cause bright red blood in your stool. Or, it might lead to severe bleeding that needs quick medical help.

Diverticular bleeding happens because of long-term damage to blood vessels near the diverticula⁸. It affects up to 20% of people with diverticulosis. This condition affects 10% of those over 40 and 50% of those over 60⁸.

The bleeding is usually painless but can signal serious issues. These include peritonitis, abscesses, or intestinal blockages⁹.

If you notice any unexpected rectal bleeding, get medical help fast. Your doctor can run tests to find out why and treat it. They might suggest medicines, diet changes, or surgery⁹. Eating a high-fiber diet and staying active can also prevent bleeding and other problems⁸.

Long-term Complications of Diverticulitis

Diverticulosis and diverticulitis can be treated well. But, severe or repeated cases can harm your digestive system¹⁰. This can lead to scarring, narrowing of the bowel, and fistulas¹⁰.

Scarring and Bowel Narrowing

Recurring diverticulitis can cause scarring¹⁰. This scarring can narrow the bowel, a problem called a stricture¹⁰. Narrowing can block food flow, causing more issues like bowel obstruction¹⁰.

Fistulas: Abnormal Passages Between Organs

Diverticulitis can also create fistulas¹⁰. These are abnormal connections between the colon and other organs like the bladder or small intestine¹⁰. Fixing fistulas usually needs surgery to fix the problem¹⁰.

If you have ongoing digestive problems, see a doctor¹⁰. They can help with diverticulitis complications and keep your digestive system healthy¹⁰.

Diverticulosis & Diverticulitis: Diagnosis and Tests

Doctors start by looking at your medical history and doing a physical exam. They can usually tell if you have uncomplicated by your symptoms like belly pain, fever, and changes in bowel movements¹¹. But, for severe cases, they need to do more tests.

A CT scan of the abdomen is a common test for diverticular disease. It shows how bad the inflammation is and if there are any abscesses or holes¹¹. They might also do a colonoscopy to check your colon and see if there’s anything else wrong¹¹.

Doctors also do blood tests, urine tests, and stool tests to check for infections and other health issues¹². These tests help them understand your digestive health better and find the best treatment.

Healthcare professionals often suggest a colonoscopy six weeks or more after symptoms go away¹¹. This is to check for any growths or cancer in the colon or rectum. It helps make sure any problems are found and treated right away.

Treatment Options for Diverticulitis

Dealing with diverticulitis can be tough, but there are good treatments. The right treatment depends on how bad the symptoms are and if there are any complications¹³.

Antibiotics and Diet Changes

For mild cases, antibiotics and diet changes can help. You might need to eat less fiber to help your colon heal¹³. Start with clear liquids like broth or juices. Then, slowly add foods like canned fruits, cooked veggies, eggs, and refined grains¹³.

Most people start feeling better in two to three days¹³.

Surgery for Severe or Recurrent Cases

For severe or recurring cases, you might need to stay in the hospital. You’ll get IV antibiotics and rest. Sometimes, surgery is needed¹⁴.

Surgery can include draining abscesses, removing part of the colon, or creating a colostomy¹⁴. This is for those with complicated diverticulitis, as it’s riskier¹⁵.

Choosing surgery depends on how bad the condition is, your health, and the risk of future problems¹⁴. Sometimes, surgery is the only way to stop diverticulitis from coming back¹⁴.

It’s key to talk to your doctor about the best treatment for you. By following their advice and making the right diet and lifestyle changes, you can manage your digestive health. This helps prevent future problems¹⁴¹³.

Preventing Diverticulitis Flare-Ups

Managing diverticulosis and preventing diverticulitis flare-ups is easier with a few lifestyle changes. Eating a high-fiber diet is key for colon health and lowering inflammation risk. High-fiber foods like fruits, veggies, whole grains, legumes, and nuts make stool softer and help you poop regularly. This reduces pressure on your colon¹⁶.

High-Fiber Diet and Lifestyle Changes

For those with diverticular disease, a high-fiber diet is essential. Aim for 25 to 35 grams of fiber daily, much more than the average American’s 14 grams¹⁷. If you have a flare-up, a low-fiber diet might be suggested to help your digestive tract rest and heal¹⁷.

• Eat more high-fiber foods like whole grains, fruits, veggies, beans, and nuts¹⁸.
• Drink less red meat, processed foods, and saturated fats, as they can worsen diverticular disease¹⁷.
• Drink at least 64 ounces of water daily, more if you’re active¹⁷.
• Exercise regularly to help poop regularly and avoid constipation¹⁷.

By changing your diet and lifestyle, you can manage diverticular disease better. This reduces the chance of future diverticulitis flare-ups¹⁶. Talking to a healthcare professional or a registered dietitian can also help you keep your colon healthy¹⁷.

Conclusion

Diverticulosis and diverticulitis are common digestive problems that can really affect your life¹⁹. It’s important to know the difference between them, their symptoms, and how to treat them²⁰. Working with your doctor and eating a healthy diet can help keep your colon healthy²¹.

Diverticular disease is very common in the West and gets worse with age²¹. Taking care of your gut health can help prevent and manage these issues. This way, you can live a healthier, more comfortable life¹⁹.

Your digestive health is key to feeling good overall. By following the tips in this article, you can improve your colon health. Eat foods high in fiber, drink plenty of water, and make healthy lifestyle choices. This will help you avoid the problems caused by diverticulosis and diverticulitis²⁰.

Source Links

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19. Diverticulosis and Diverticulitis: Epidemiology, Pathophysiology, and Current Treatment Trends
20. Diverticula and Diverticulitis: Time for a Reappraisal
21. Diverticular Disease: An Update on Pathogenesis and Management