Diverticulitis is the common digestive disease of the large intestine. In this the diverticuli of the large intestine are inflamed. Diverticulosis is the abnormal pouches seen outside the colon. The inflammation of these diverticuli is called diverticulitis

 

Diverticulitis is a condition in which the diverticuli the colon rupture.

Signs and symptoms

• Abdominal pain

• Tenderness in the left side of the lower part of the abdomen

• Nausea

• Vomiting

• Bloating sensation in the abdomen

• Fever

• Chills

• Abdominal cramping

• Constipation

• Pain in diverticulitis worsens throughout the day, starts as small pains and slowly leading to vomiting and then there will be severe pain.

 Risk factors of diverticulitis

• Old age

• Low fiber diet

• Lack of exercise

• Obesity

 Tests and diagnosis              

• Clinical history

• Physical examination

• CT scan abdomen

• Ultrasound scan abdomen

• Increased white blood cells

• Sigmoidoscopy

• Colonoscopy

 Complications of diverticulitis

• Rupture of diverticuli

• Rectal bleeding

• Peritonitis

• Bowel obstruction

• Abscess formation

• Fistula

• Bleeding

• Strictures

• Perforation of the colon

 Treatment:

• Bowel rest, nothing is given by mouth

• Intravenous fluids

• Broad spectrum antibiotic like ciprofloxacin, metronidazole, cephalexin, doxycycline.

• Antispasmodics like dicyclomine, hyoscyamine, atropine etc

• Surgical treatment includes collection of pus, resection of diseased part.

• Low residue diet: It helps the bowel to heal.

• High fiber diet

• Bulk additives like psyllium

• Persons with diverticulitis are asked to avoid certain foods like nuts, corn and seeds