Diverticulitis

What is it ? - As a person ages, pressure within the colon causes bulging pockets of tissue that push out from the colon walls. These are called diverticulum. The condition of having these is called diverticulosis. When a diverticulum becomes infected and ruptures the condition is called diverticulitis.

Signs and Symptoms- Diverticulitis symptoms can feel like appendicitis, except you'll generally have pain in the lower left side of your abdomen, instead of the lower right side. The pain is usually severe and comes on suddenly, but sometimes you may have mild pain that becomes worse over several days and fluctuates in intensity. You may also have abdominal tenderness, fever, nausea, and constipation or diarrhea

How is a diagnosis made ? - can be made by a variety of tests. Barium x-rays (barium enemas) can be performed to visualize the colon. Diverticula are seen as barium filled pouches protruding from the colon wall. Direct visualization of the intestine can be done with a colonoscopy to make a diagonosis or rule out other diseases that may mimic diverticular disease.

Treatment - When diverticulitis occurs, antibiotics are usually needed. Some examples of commonly prescribed antibiotics include Cipro, Flagyl, Keflex, and Vibramycin. Liquid or low fiber foods are advised during acute diverticulitis attacks. In severe diverticulitis with high fever and pain, patients are hospitalized and given intravenous antibiotics. Surgery is needed for those with persistent bowel obstruction or abscess not responding to antibiotics.