What is Diverticulitis? By diverticulitis we mean a condition in which diverticuli in the colon suddenly ruptures. This rupture may result in the infection of the tissues that surround the colon
The most common symptoms of diverticular disease include:
* Cramps in the abdomen
* Constipation
* Diarrhea
These symptoms are generally related to the difficulty of passing stool along the left colon which gets narrowed by diverticular disease.
Some of the more serious complications are as follows:
1.Diverticulitis
2.Collection of pus (abscess) in the pelvis
3.Colon obstruction
4.Generalized infection of the abdominal cavity (bacterial peritonitis)
5.Bleeding into the colon
Generally antibiotics are prescribed when diverticulitis occurs. The mild symptoms can be treated by oral antibiotics. Some of the commonly prescribed antibiotics include:
1.Cephalexin (Keflex)
2.Ciprofloxacin (Cipro)
3.Doxycycline (Vibramycin)
4.Metronidazole (Flagyl)
Commonly liquid or low fiber foods are advised during acute attacks of diverticulitis. This is done to reduce the amount of material that passes through the colon. In severe cases of diverticulitis with high fever and pain, the patients are hospitalized immediately and given intravenous antibiotics. Surgery is prescribed only for those with persistent bowel obstruction or abscess which do not respond to antibiotics.
Those patients suffering from diverticulitis and not responding to the traditional medical treatment methods are prescribed surgical intervention. Surgery usually involves drainage of any collections of pus and resection (surgical removal) of that segment of the colon containing the diverticuli, usually the sigmoid colon. Therefore, surgical removal of the bleeding diverticula is necessary for those with persistent bleeding. In patients needing surgery to stop persistent bleeding, exact localization becomes crucial to guide the surgeon.
Diverticulitis Surgery is also suggested for patients with frequent, recurrent attacks of diverticulitis leading to multiple courses of antibiotics and hospitalizations. During surgery, the goal is to remove all, or almost all, of the colon containing diverticula in order to prevent future occurrence of diverticulitis. The surgery can also be done laparoscopically, which limits post operative pain and time for recovery.
Patients suffering from diverticulitis are prescribed diets high in fiber because it increases stool bulk and prevents constipation, and theoretically help prevent further diverticular formation or worsening of the diverticular condition.
Doctors advise patients with known diverticular disease and who develop unexplained fever, chills or abdominal pain to immediately consult and notify them because there are possibilities of complications of diverticulitis. At present researches are being conducted all over the world for better understanding of the way diverticula form and becomes infected. It is hoped that more effective and less time consuming methods will be found out in the near future to manage these common sufferings of mankind.
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