Diverticulitis is a condition that occurs when a Diverticulum separates and causes an infection in the cells about the colon. This description perhaps doesn't make any sense unless you are a medical student or have been investigating diverticulitis; to understand it a bit of background information is necessary so here goes.
A Diverticulum is a tiny sac in the lining of the bowels that gets pushed out as a person ages and the coating of the colon become thicker, leading to an increase in the pressure in the colon; a lone sac is named a diverticulum while several sacs are named diverticula.
Diverticula can happen in any area of the colon but is mainly prevalent in the sigmoid colon, (the section right before the anus) as pressure increase usually takes place there. When diverticula exist in one's colon, the individual is said to have diverticulosis.
Diverticulosis commonly has only a few or no symptoms but if there are signs they may include bleeding, stomach pain and constipation. Other indications may include rounds of stabbing pain or a sensation of pressure in the abdomen when air goes in and out of the diverticula; now we get to your definition once more, Diverticulitis is a condition that takes place when a Diverticulum separates and induces an infection in the tissues about the colon.
A person who undergoes Diverticulitis usually has pain in the lower left abdomen, fever and has an high white cell number if a blood test is done; diverticulitis may also cause nausea, diarrhea, pelvic sores, cramping, and bleeding.
An inflamed Diverticulum can cause a peritonitis contamination that contaminates the walls of the abdominal cavity, if the Diverticulum ruptures; the severity of the signss associated with diverticulitis will be dependent on how severe the infection is and the section that is affected. Diverticulum can also get into the bladder and result in an infection that leads to the passing of air while urinating.
Aside from the thickening of the colonic coating, another thing that may lead to the development of Diverticulitis is a diet that is low in fiber; having inadequate fiber in the diet might lead to hard stools that are difficult to pass, and so increase the pressure within the colon; eventually this can end in Diverticula.
The first time Diverticulitis happens, except it is grave it is typically cured with antibiotics, bowel rest - meaning nothing is taken orally, and IV fluid resuscitation; a high-fiber diet will often be suggested to prevent the formation of additional diverticula. If the affected individual is feeling pains, anti-spasmodic drugs may be recommended.
If there are recurring attacks or serious problems, medical surgery to remove the infected section of the colon can be the only remedy; if an operation is performed the patient will normally be first prescribed a low-fiber diet to decrease the number of materials that pass through the colon while the colon repairs properly. Once fully healed, patients are placed on a high-fiber diet to keep them regular and to prevent future diverticulitis.
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