Diverticulitis: challenging but manageable
Dear Doctor: A friend recently told me he was feeling under the weather due to a flare of his diverticulitis. What is diverticulitis? Diverticulitis is the process of inflammation of small areas in the intestines. Occasionally, our intestines can develop small out-pouches along the length. If one or more of the pouches become inflamed, the condition is called diverticulitis. Diverticulosis can occur anywhere along the length of the intestines, but it is most commonly observed in the intestines that reside in the left side of the abdomen. There are several reasons for diverticulosis and, without any additional complications, the condition is considered benign. The inflammation can be relatively mild, involving only one or two areas, to the involvement of extensive areas that can lead to abscesses and breakdown and rupture of the intestines, a life-threatening emergency. Most people with diverticulosis are unaware of it. Diverticulitis, on the other hand, can have very pronounced symptoms. In some cases, diverticulosis may cause left-sided abdominal pain and cramping that is relieved with passing gas or moving one’s bowels. The abdominal cramping pain can be extreme and severe. Also, one may experience flu-like symptoms and can even run a fever. Diverticulosis can also produce red blood in the stool. Diverticulitis can present as a few isolated attacks, or be longstanding and chronic, without ever becoming entirely free of inflammation. With chronic diverticulitis, a blockage of the intestines can occur. When this happens, stools can become thin, one can experience constipation or diarrhea, and stomach cramping and bloating. With extreme cases of intestinal blockage, one may also experience excruciating abdominal pain and nausea and vomiting. Without treatment, diverticulitis can cause pockets of infection that can rupture into the abdomen and require immediate surgery, scarring that can lead to intestinal blockage, severe bleeding (that may require a blood transfusion), and a strange condition called a fistula. A fistula occurs when an inflamed portion of the intestine (diverticulitis) touches a neighboring organ and actually forms a connection to that area. Most commonly, the connection can occur with the bladder, and when that happens, the kidneys can get infected. Other less common areas of fistula formation include connections to the vagina and the skin. Risk factors
- Age over 40
- Overweight
- Consuming a diet high in red meat
- Taking NSAIDS or steroids on a regular basis
- Eating a diet high in saturated fats
- Low water intake
- Family history
- Personal history of polycystic kidney disease
- Exercise regularly
- Maintain a healthy weight
- Minimize red meat consumption
- Eat plenty of high-fiber fruits and vegetables
- Drink plenty of water
- Minimize saturated fat intake
- Minimize steroid and NSAID use
Dear Doctor: A friend recently told me he was feeling…