Getting Familiar With Diverticulitis

Diverticulitis is serious colorectal health condition characterized by an inflammation affecting the colon. It is the outcome when ruptured Diverticulitis in the colon become infected. Like any other gastrointestinal disease, Diverticulitis needs medical intervention.

The sigmoid colon or the portion of the large intestine closest to the rectum is the most common site for Diverticulitis. This incident is associated with the usual location where diverticula form, which is in the sigmoid colon as well.

Diverticula appear like pouches protruding outwards from the intestinal walls. This abnormality in the contour of the colon is known as diverticulosis. This condition occurs when persistent high pressure is inflicted into walls of the colon when passing stool out, which is possible in the presence of constipation. When these diverticula rupture, infection will arise and the condition progresses into diverticulitis.

The signs and symptoms of diverticulitis are associated with the location of the affected site. Mostly, people with this disease complain for pain felt at the left lower quadrant of the abdominal region, where the sigmoid colon is located. Fever and increase level of white blood cells (leukocytosis) are also present as a response to the occurrence of infection.

Other symptoms that a person with diverticulitis experience are bloody stool and alteration of bowel pattern (diarrhea or constipation). The stool becomes bloody when the infection had caused erosion to the nearby blood vessels. The blood mixes with the stool; hence, fresh, bright red blood streaks are found in the feces or sometimes the stool appears black or dark. The discoloration of the stool depends on which portion of the colon the bleeding has occurred; the closer it is to the rectum, the fresher the blood found in the stool. Furthermore, diarrhea usually results from hypermotility of the bowel secondary to the presence of infection. Otherwise, constipation occurs as the inflammation can cause blockage of the intestinal lumen.

However, symptoms have similarities with the manifestations of other gastrointestinal medical conditions. So, most doctors would request the affected individual to undergo a diagnostic test by which the structure of the colon can be viewed such as sigmoidoscopy, colonoscopy, barium enema and abdominal Computed Tomography scan. Any of these tests can confirm the presence of ruptured diverticulum (diverticula) in the colon by providing images that indicate abnormalities or malformation in the contour of the colon lining such as an out-pouching wall.

Since diverticulitis is an infection, the treatment of choice is administration of antibiotics like ciprofloxacin, cephalexin, doxycycline or metronidazole. The route administration of the antibacterial drug typically depends on the severity of the symptoms. Oral medication is often given for milder diverticulitis, while intravenous preparation is administered once the patient experiences severe abdominal pain and high fever.

Above all, when medications don't work out, laparoscopic sigmoidectomy remains the last option. This is the surgical removal of the affected part of the sigmoid colon by which both ends of the unaffected intestinal segments are sutured together afterwards in a process called anastomosis.

Overall, diverticulitis is similar to other medical conditions that require early detection and treatment to prevent complications. Any of its signs and symptoms must not be taken for granted to avoid a more severe condition and worst of all death.

The resources provided in this piece shouldn't be a replacement for professional treatment and should not be used for diagnosing or providing treatment for a health problem or illness. Make sure you talk to your health care provider in case you have or have an idea that you may have a medical problem.