Diverticulitis Symptoms & Cures

Diverticulitis occurs when pouches in your colon become inflamed or infected. It is not uncommon to develop these pouches, called diverticula, as you age. Approximately 10 to 25 percent of people with diverticula eventually develop diverticulitis. Diet plays a part in diverticulitis and doctors recommend several lifestyle changes to lower the chance of a recurrence.

Symptoms

• If you have diverticulitis, you may experience sudden, severe pain on the lower left side of your abdomen. In some people, the pain gradually increases over several days. The pain becomes worse when you move or bend over. The pain may be accompanied by gas, bloating, nausea, vomiting, chills, fever, constipation, abdominal tenderness, lack of appetite or diarrhea.

Risk Factors

• Age is one of the most significant risk factors and you are more likely to develop diverticulitis if you are over 40. A lack of exercise and insufficient fiber in your diet can also increase your chances of developing this condition.

Diagnosis

• Before diagnosing diverticulitis, your doctor will take a medical history, ask you to describe your symptoms and check your abdomen for signs of tenderness. A blood test will be performed to determined if you have an elevated white count, indicating infection. X-rays and computed tomography (CAT) scans will allow your doctor to determine if you have pouches that are infected or inflamed.

Treatment

• Mild cases of diverticulitis can be treated with pain relief medication and antibiotics. A clear liquid or bland diet low in fiber is recommended until the pain subsides. If you are in severe pain and unable to drink liquids, you will probably be hospitalized and given intravenous (IV) antibiotics. Nutrition will also be provided through the IV in order to give your bowels a chance to rest and recover. In very severe cases, surgery may be needed to remove a damaged section of the colon.

LIfestyle Changes

• Lifestyle changes can prevent or reduce the chance of further attacks. Doctors suggest that people who have had diverticulitis eat more fiber, such as vegetables, fresh fruits and whole grains. These foods help soften waste material, allowing it to pass through the colon more quickly. Fiber should be added gradually to prevent gas or bloating. If you can't get enough fiber in your diet, you can use a fiber supplement, such as Citrucel or Metamucil. To avoid constipation, doctors recommend that you drink plenty of fluids and use the bathroom as soon as you first start feeling the need to evacuate your bowels. Daily exercise can help lessen the pressure in your colon and help regulate bowel function.

Seeds

• For many years, doctors recommended avoided eating foods with seeds, such as tomatoes and strawberries, as it was thought that these seeds could become trapped in the diverticula and cause inflammation and infection. Because there is no scientific evidence to support the idea that seeds contribute to diverticulitis, avoiding seeds is no longer suggested as way to avoid recurrences unless seeds have triggered a flare-up in the past.