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Diverticulitis Diagnosis

While diverticulitis is becoming increasingly common in industrialized countries due to consumption of a low-fiber diet, dietary and lifestyle changes can often prevent this painful gastrointestinal disorder from occurring or can keep a mild case from turning into a more complex problem. Diverticulitis is more common in people over 40. Knowing the causes and symptoms of the disease can help in a diverticulitis diagnosis.

  1. What Is Diverticulitis?

    • Diverticulitis is an inflammation or infection of balloon-like sacs in the digestive tract which are known as diverticula. Diverticula, also known as diverticulosis, usually doesn't cause problems and many people don't even know they have the condition until they undergo a screening for colorectal cancer or test for other intestinal problems. Sometimes, however, diverticulitis results, causing uncomfortable symptoms that require treatment.

    Symptoms

    • Diverticulitis usually causes pain and tenderness in the lower left part of the abdomen. Fever, nausea, constipation and diarrhea are also common symptoms. Bloating and rectal bleeding are less common symptoms of diverticulitis.

    Causes

    • Diverticula usually develop due to weak places in the colon and from lack of fiber in the diet. No one is sure what causes the inflammation or infection that leads to diverticulitis. Some health care practitioners believe pressure within the colon may cause a breakdown of the wall where diverticula are located. Contrary to popular opinion, consumption of popcorn, nuts and seeds does not cause or aggravate diverticulitis.

    Diagnosis

    • Diverticulitis is usually confirmed during an acute attack by examining the abdomen for tenderness and follow-up with a CT scan with oral and IV contrast. The Mayo Clinic says that since the symptoms sometimes resemble other conditions, a doctor must rule out appendicitis, ovarian cancer, colon cancer, irritable bowel syndrome and other gastrointestinal problems. A health care provider may also obtain a blood sample to check your white blood count for possible signs of infection. According to the Merck Manual, in about 10 percent of patients, findings cannot be distinguished from colon cancer so a colonoscopy is necessary for definitive diagnosis.

    Treatment

    • Treatment for diverticulitis depends on the severity of symptoms as well as whether attacks are recurrent. In mild cases, rest, a liquid or low-fiber diet and antibiotics are the only necessary treatments. Once symptoms have improved, you can gradually increase your consumption of high-fiber fruits and vegetables. Some practitioners may also suggest taking dietary fiber supplements such as Metamucil. If antibiotics are prescribed, be sure to take the entire course of medication even if you are feeling better.

    Possible Complications

    • More severe attacks of diverticulitis may cause inflammation of the intestinal wall, which can result in a fistula, or abnormal channels that connect the large intestine with neighboring organs. Inflammation of neighboring organs such as the uterus, bladder or other digestive tract organs are also possible complications of diverticulitis. In these instances, hospitalization and intravenous antibiotics are necessary. Surgery may be necessary if you have a perforation, abscesses, fistulas or recurrent diverticulitis.

    Prevention/Lessening Impact

    • A high-fiber diet can prevent the occurrence of the disease or can keep an existing case from becoming more severe. Fiber needs to be introduced gradually in order to prevent bloating and gas. Drinking lots of fluids and exercising also helps promote normal bowel function.

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