Diverticulitis

What is diverticulitis?

Diverticulitis is a condition where one or more of the diverticula — small pouches in your digestive system lining — become inflamed. Inflammation is most common in your large intestine (colon) and can result in a variety of persistent symptoms that interfere with your digestive health.

Your age is a risk factor for diverticulitis. Other risk factors for the condition include:

• Obesity
• Smoking
• Poor diet
• Lack of exercise
• Use of certain medications

Without treatment, diverticulitis can lead to diverticular abscesses, colon or small intestine blockages, or the formation of anal fistulas. You may also develop peritonitis, which results when infected diverticula ruptures and leaks the contents of your intestines into your abdomen, an emergency medical situation.

What are the symptoms of diverticulitis?

Abdominal pain in the lower left side of your body is a common sign of diverticulitis. You may also experience symptoms like:

• Fever
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Constipation

You should schedule a diagnostic evaluation with the team at Tri-City Colo-Rectal Surgery if you have these symptoms or if you experience sudden, unexplained abdominal pain.

How is diverticulitis diagnosed?

Abdominal pain can indicate an acute attack of diverticulitis. Your Tri-City Colo-Rectal Surgery provider reviews your medical history and may order blood tests to rule out other causes of pain, such as infection.

If your provider suspects diverticulitis, they may request a CT scan, which shows inflammation in the diverticula.

How is diverticulitis treated?

Initially, you may need conservative treatments, like a course of antibiotics and changes to your diet, to treat mild symptoms of diverticulitis. To help your bowels heal, your Tri-City Colo-Rectal Surgery provider may recommend a liquid diet for a few days.

If you have complications from diverticulitis, such as a fistula or abscess, your provider may suggest surgery.

Surgery typically involves the removal of the diseased area of your bowel, and your Tri-City Colo-Rectal Surgery provider reconnects the healthy sections to ensure you can have normal bowel movements. The goal of surgical treatment is to avoid a colostomy, an opening in your abdominal wall that’s necessary to eliminate waste from your body.

If you have symptoms of diverticulitis, schedule a consultation with Tri-City Colo-Rectal Surgery by calling the office or requesting an appointment online today.