Diverticulitis

Diverticula are sac-shaped bulges on the intestine. They are mainly located at the end of the colon and are benign. Diverticulitis occurs when diverticula kindled or become infected.

The disorder mainly occurs from the age of 50 and affects approximately 3 out of 1000 people.

Diverticulosis (the presence of diverticula) gives usually no symptoms. Sometimes cramps or stool problems occur, as we do with irritable bowel syndrome see. Bleeding into a diverticulum may be the cause of red blood when defecating. Diverticulitis is often accompanied by pain in the lower left part of the abdomen. Pressing on the stomach is painful. There is often a slight fever. You may feel sick or nauseous.

It is not known what causes diverticula to become inflamed. People who smoke, exercise little, eat little fiber, are overweight and take NSAIDs (pain relievers that can irritate the intestinal wall) seem to be slightly more likely to have diverticulitis.

Diverticulosis is diagnosed using a radiological research or colonoscopy (bowel examination). Your doctor may do a blood tests to see if there are signs of inflammation. If you suspect a serious diverticulitis, he will refer you to the hospital for a CT scan of the belly or a radiography with contrast agent.

The doctor will assess the severity of the diverticulitis. He does this on the basis of the following parameters: high fever, abnormal abdominal examination and high levels of inflammation in the blood. If these parameters are present, he will refer you for a hospitalization. There will antibiotics administered intravenously.

If the diverticulitis is not too severe, it can be treated at home with oral antibiotics and adequate fluid intake if necessary. Your doctor can help you paracetamol prescribe against pain. If this treatment does not improve enough within 48 hours, the doctor will still refer you to the hospital.

Bee complications, such as an intestinal abscess, bowel perforation, fistula formation and inflammation in the abdominal cavity can be a intervention are necessary.

Young and middle-aged people who regularly experience exceptionally severe diverticulitis or who have complications can operative be treated. In this operation, the affected part of the colon is removed. This is usually possible with a keyhole surgery (laparascopy).