Home Health Center Diverticulitis

Diverticulitis

 Diverticula are small, bulging sacs which can develop in any part of the digestive system such as the stomach, small intestine and esophagus. They occur most commonly in the large intestine or colon. Diverticulitis is said to occur when there is severe inflammation of the diverticula, which may cause them to rupture, resulting in possible infection of surrounding tissue.

The muscular intestinal wall becomes thicker as a person ages, largely because of the excess pressure the colon must exert during bowel movements. Over a period of time, this pressure pushes the wall lining outwards through weak spots in the intestinal wall. This leads to the formation of pouches known as diverticula. Diverticula usually occur in people above the age of 40 years. Those who have diverticula are diagnosed as having diverticulosis. In many cases, you may not be aware of the presence of these pouches, as they don’t always cause observable symptoms. If complications like diverticulitis do develop however, then you may experience symptoms such as abdominal pain, nausea, changes in bowel habits and fever. Milder cases of the disease usually improve with adequate rest, medication and dietary changes. Serious cases may require surgery.


Frequently asked questions

• How Is Diverticulitis Treated?
• Are There Home Remedies For Diverticulitis?

References

1. Gordon N Buchanan, Nicholas J Kenefick, C.Richard G Cohen, Diverticulitis, Best Practice & Research Clinical Gastroenterology, Volume 16, Issue 4, August 2002, Pages 635-647, ISSN 1521-6918, 10.1053/bega.2002.0322.
2. Wendy Sotheran, Asha Senapati, Diverticulitis and its Complications, Surgery (Oxford), Volume 20, Issue 7, 1 July 2002, Pages 164-169, ISSN 0263-9319, 10.1383/surg.20.7.164.14396.
3. John G. Touzios, Eric J. Dozois, Diverticulosis and Acute Diverticulitis, Gastroenterology Clinics of North America, Volume 38, Issue 3, September 2009, Pages 513-525, ISSN 0889-8553, 10.1016/j.gtc.2009.06.004.
4. Matilde Rodríguez-Cerrillo, Ana Poza-Montoro, Eddita Fernandez-Diaz, Amaia Iñurrieta Romero, Patients with uncomplicated diverticulitis and comorbidity can be treated at home, European Journal of Internal Medicine, Volume 21, Issue 6, December 2010, Pages 553-554, ISSN 0953-6205, 10.1016/j.ejim.2010.09.002.