Language
Country/Area
No result found
The truth about lower abdominal pain: How scary are the symptoms of diverticulitis?
Diverticulitis, or colonic diverticulitis, is a gastrointestinal disease characterized by inflammation of abnormal pouches (diverticula) in the wall of the large intestine. When these diverticula become inflamed, people typically experience sudden onset of lower abdominal pain that may be instantaneous or may gradually worsen over several days. In addition, patients may experience symptoms such as nausea, diarrhea, or constipation. Fever or blood in the stool may indicate more serious complications.
The cause of diverticulitis is still unclear, but it is currently believed to be related to factors such as obesity, lack of exercise, smoking, and family history.
The presence of a diverticula does not necessarily mean that diverticulitis will develop. When the diverticula are not inflamed, known as diverticulosis, pain and inflammation occur in about 10% to 25% of people, mostly due to bacterial infection.
Symptoms and diagnosis of diverticulitis
The main symptom of diverticulitis includes sudden onset of lower abdominal pain, usually in the left lower abdomen (in Western countries) or right lower abdomen (in Asia). In addition, patients may experience general discomfort, increased white blood cell count, and elevated C-reactive protein.
Some people may have repeated episodes or a persistent "latent" form of diverticulitis after an initial infection.
Diagnosis usually requires a CT scan, although blood tests and colonoscopy may also be used as an aid. During diagnosis, other possible causes, such as irritable bowel syndrome, must be ruled out.
Complications of diverticulitis
Complications may include abscess formation, intestinal perforation, etc., and in severe cases, surgery may be required. If the inflammation spreads to the lining of the abdominal cavity, peritonitis will result, and if the diverticula cause intestinal narrowing, intestinal obstruction may occur. This disease is very common in Western countries but is less common in Africa and Asia.
In the United States, the annual costs associated with diverticular disease are approximately $2.4 billion.
Risk Factors and Prevention
Research suggests that certain risk factors may increase the risk of developing diverticulitis, including obesity, physical inactivity and smoking. Therefore, improving your lifestyle by increasing your dietary fiber intake, maintaining a healthy weight, and getting regular exercise may help reduce your risk of this disease.
Treatment and Management Options
For mild diverticulitis, oral antibiotics and a liquid diet are usually recommended. In contrast, severe cases require hospitalization and the use of intravenous antibiotics. In some cases, surgical intervention may be necessary to perform intestinal resection, especially if the patient has complications.
Conclusion
Although diverticulitis may not be avoidable in some patients, the vast majority of people can still effectively reduce the risk of developing it through proper lifestyle adjustments and health management. If you or a loved one has experienced symptoms of diverticulitis, what options would you take to improve your quality of life?
