Diverticulitis is a complication that can affect people with diverticulosis, which are small pouches that bulge outward through weak spots in your colon. For people with diverticulosis, when one or more of these pouches become injured or infected, it can cause inflammation and a sharp pain in the lower abdomen. Diverticulitis may occur suddenly and can sometimes cause serious health problems.
While we aren’t sure what causes diverticulosis and diverticulitis, certain factors may cause or increase the risk for these conditions, including genetics and lifestyle factors such as diet, lack of physical activity, taking certain medications, obesity, and smoking.
The occurrence of diverticulosis, the presence of these small pouches in the lower intestine, is common – found in more than half of Americans over the age of 60. Diverticulitis however is less common, affecting about 4% of people with diverticulosis. Once you’ve had it, you have a 20% chance of getting it again.
Common Symptoms
People with diverticulosis often have no symptoms. If one of the pouches become infected or inflamed, symptoms of diverticulitis may appear suddenly and become worse over a few days. They include:
- Pain or discomfort in the lower part of the abdomen
- Constipation or diarrhea
- Bloating or gas
- Fever and chills
- Nausea and vomiting
- Fresh blood in your stool
People with diverticulitis may also develop more serious health problems, including:
- Abscess caused by infection
- Bleeding that may lead to anemia
- Fistula, an abnormal opening or passage between the colon and another part of the body such as your bladder
- Intestinal obstruction, a partial or total blockage that prevents food or stool from moving through your intestines
- Perforation in your colon
- Peritonitis, an infection in the lining of the abdominal cavity
Diagnosis of Diverticulitis
Your healthcare provider may run routine tests to rule out other causes of your symptoms, such as a blood test, stool test, or urine test. If Diverticulitis is suspected, imaging tests like a CT scan, may show the cause of the inflammation. In some cases, a colonoscopy may be required to see inside your colon with a lighted scope. Some complications may even be treated during the colonoscopy.
Treatment
Treatment of diverticulitis depends on how serious the symptoms are. While some conservative at-home treatment may help, including rest, liquid diets, and medications, more severe or complicated symptoms may require an endoscopic procedure or surgery, and in rare cases, a colectomy – where the problematic section of the bowel is removed.
When surgical treatment is needed, our colorectal surgeons at Saint Alphonsus are skilled in the latest, most advanced minimally invasive and robotic surgery. For our surgeons, that means greater surgical precision, clarity, and dexterity through the smallest incisions. For our patients, that means less pain and less time recovering.
If you or a loved one have been diagnosed with diverticulosis, or are experiencing sudden symptoms of diverticulitis, talk to your primary care provider about treatment options. If you or your healthcare provider believe surgery is the most effective treatment, complete this form to request a consultation with a Saint Alphonsus colorectal specialist.