Introduction
Diverticulitis is inflammation or infection of small pouches (diverticula) in your colon. These pouches form when you have a condition called diverticulosis. Your colon, or large intestine, is where water is absorbed and stool is formed.
Complications of diverticulitis can include:
Bleeding.
Severe infection.
Severe pain.
Perforation of your colon.
Obstruction of your colon.
What are the causes?
This condition is caused by bacteria. It happens when stool becomes trapped in the diverticula. This allows bacteria to grow in the diverticula, which can lead to inflammation and infection.
What increases the risk?
People with diverticulosis are at risk for diverticulitis. Eating a diet that does not include enough fiber from fruits and vegetables may make diverticulitis more likely to develop.
You are more likely to develop this condition if:
You have diverticulosis.
You eat …show more content…
Nausea.
Vomiting.
Constipation.
Diarrhea.
Blood in your stool.
How is this diagnosed?
This condition is diagnosed by:
Medical history.
A physical exam.
Tests to rule out other causes of your condition. These tests may include:
Blood tests.
Urine tests.
Imaging tests of the abdomen, including X-rays and CT scans.
When your condition is under control, your health care provider may recommend that you have a colonoscopy. A colonoscopy can show how severe your diverticula are and whether something else is causing your symptoms.
How is this treated?
Most cases of this condition are mild and can be treated at home. Treatment may include:
Taking over-the-counter pain medicines.
Following a clear liquid diet.
Taking antibiotic medicines by mouth for 7–10 days.
More severe cases may be treated at a hospital. Treatment may include:
Not eating or drinking.
Taking prescription pain medicine.
Receiving antibiotic medicines through an IV tube.
Receiving fluids and nutrition through an IV tube.
Surgery.
Follow these instructions at home:
Follow your health care provider’s instructions
Diverticulitis is inflammation or infection of small pouches (diverticula) in your colon. These pouches form when you have a condition called diverticulosis. Your colon, or large intestine, is where water is absorbed and stool is formed.
Complications of diverticulitis can include:
Bleeding.
Severe infection.
Severe pain.
Perforation of your colon.
Obstruction of your colon.
What are the causes?
This condition is caused by bacteria. It happens when stool becomes trapped in the diverticula. This allows bacteria to grow in the diverticula, which can lead to inflammation and infection.
What increases the risk?
People with diverticulosis are at risk for diverticulitis. Eating a diet that does not include enough fiber from fruits and vegetables may make diverticulitis more likely to develop.
You are more likely to develop this condition if:
You have diverticulosis.
You eat …show more content…
Nausea.
Vomiting.
Constipation.
Diarrhea.
Blood in your stool.
How is this diagnosed?
This condition is diagnosed by:
Medical history.
A physical exam.
Tests to rule out other causes of your condition. These tests may include:
Blood tests.
Urine tests.
Imaging tests of the abdomen, including X-rays and CT scans.
When your condition is under control, your health care provider may recommend that you have a colonoscopy. A colonoscopy can show how severe your diverticula are and whether something else is causing your symptoms.
How is this treated?
Most cases of this condition are mild and can be treated at home. Treatment may include:
Taking over-the-counter pain medicines.
Following a clear liquid diet.
Taking antibiotic medicines by mouth for 7–10 days.
More severe cases may be treated at a hospital. Treatment may include:
Not eating or drinking.
Taking prescription pain medicine.
Receiving antibiotic medicines through an IV tube.
Receiving fluids and nutrition through an IV tube.
Surgery.
Follow these instructions at home:
Follow your health care provider’s instructions