Diverticulosis or Diverticulitis?

Diverticulosis and diverticulitis are both disorders that affect the large intestine. Diverticular disease refers to both of these conditions. Diverticula is a characteristic shared by both. Diverticula are pockets or bulges that occur in the lining of your colon.

Diverticula are like enlarged patches or bubbles that emerge when too much air is pumped into the inner tube of a bicycle tire. The bubble forms where the rubber is weakest due to an increase in pressure caused by too much air being injected into the inner tube. Similarly, increased pressure inside the colon causes pockets or bulges (diverticula) to develop in weakened sections of the colon’s walls.

What’s the Difference Between Diverticulosis and Diverticulitis?

Diverticulosis is the presence of small bulges or pockets (diverticula) in the colon. They are normally asymptomatic and do not need medical attention. Diverticulosis, on the other hand, may result in diverticulitis.

Diverticulitis is defined as inflammation (swelling) and infection of one or more diverticula in the body. You may have discomfort, nausea, fever, and other symptoms, among other things. This is a considerably more severe and perhaps life-threatening illness.

Signs and Symptoms of Diverticular Disease and Diverticulitis

Among the signs and symptoms of diverticular illness are:

• Abdominal discomfort commonly occurs in the lower left side of your abdomen, and that becomes worse while or immediately after eating.

• Constipation, diarrhea, or both on occasion, and blood in your feces are all possible symptoms.

If your diverticula get infected and inflamed (diverticulitis), you may have one of the following symptoms:

• You have diarrhea or constipation, you pass mucus or blood in your feces, or you have bleeding from your genitals (rectal bleeding).

• You acquire a bellyache that is persistent and more intense.

• Have a very high body temperature.

Causes of Diverticulosis and Diverticulitis

Diverticulosis and diverticulitis are caused by aging and hereditary causes, but nutrition also plays a part. A diet heavy in processed foods and poor in fiber may raise the risk. Diverticulosis affects around 10% of those over 40 in Western countries and at least 50% of those over 60 in Western societies. Diverticulitis affects 10%–25% of people with diverticulosis.

Straining and constipation during bowel movements may cause intestinal wall weakness and the formation of diverticular pouches, although this has not been established. An inadequate provision of fiber in the diet is also blamed by some experts. Insufficient fiber causes increased gut wall strain. This raises local pressures, causing pouches to form at vulnerable areas of the colon wall. The increased pressure and undigested food trapped in these pouches may erode the diverticular wall, producing inflammation and potential bacterial infection, leading to diverticulitis (disease).

Who is at the Most Renowned Risk for Developing Diverticulosis and Diverticulitis?

If you have any of the following symptoms, you are at higher risk for diverticular illness (diverticulosis or diverticulitis):

• Overweight

• People that consume a diet that is low in fiber When a diet is lacking in fruits, vegetables, beans and lentils, whole grains and bread, as well as nuts,

• Individuals who do not exercise

• Are over the age of 40 years.

• People who consume a diet that is heavy in fat and red meat.

• The male gender

• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) include aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil®, Motrin®), and naproxen (Aleve®).

What is the Procedure for Diagnosing Diverticulosis?

Because the majority of patients who have diverticulosis do not exhibit any symptoms, it is generally discovered via other tests that are performed for unrelated purposes.

What is the Procedure for Diagnosing Diverticulitis?

If you are experiencing symptoms of diverticulitis, it is critical that you consult your healthcare practitioner to guarantee that you get a suitable diagnosis.

As a starting point, the health professional will ask you a series of questions about your medical history, including your present symptoms and the kinds of foods that normally fill your stomach. They will also inquire about how frequently you have bowel movements and other questions about your bowel movements, as well as any medications you are actually taking. Your healthcare professional will examine your abdomen to see whether there is any discomfort or soreness.

Tests to Conduct

Some more tests that may be conducted or ordered to assist in the diagnosis of your disease are as follows:

• An infection-screening blood test is performed to look for symptoms of illness, such as a high white blood cell count.

• Diverticulitis may be detected with a CT scan, which can indicate infected or inflamed diverticula as well as the severity of the infection.

• With a digital rectal exam, your healthcare professional gently inserts a protected, greased finger into your rectum in order to feel for any issues in your anus or rectum.

• Taking a stool sample: Your stool sample is tested for the presence of aberrant bacteria or parasites, which may be the source of your illness.

• During this procedure, your colon may be inspected throughout its whole length. A colonoscope is a thin, flexible, illuminated tube that carries a camera that is put into your rectum and into your colon for examination. During a colonoscopy, your colon is examined for abnormal growths, lesions, ulcers, bleeding, or other abnormalities that might be causing changes in your bowel habits or abdominal discomfort, such as diverticulitis. It is possible to get tissue samples and to remove polyps from the body.

• An examination known as a sigmoidoscopy is performed in which a small flexible tube with a light attached to one end is introduced into your rectum and pushed into your sigmoid colon. The tube is concatenated to a video camera through a video cable. With the camera, you may get a better look at your sigmoid colon (which is where the majority of diverticula originate) and rectum.

• Angiography: If you are experiencing quick, severe rectal bleeding, this technique may assist you in determining where the bleeding is originating. A harmless tracer is injected into the arteries that feed the colon during this procedure, which helps doctors determine where the bleeding is coming from.

• In a barium enema (also known as lower gastrointestinal tract radiography), a fluid that contains barium is administered into the anus. The liquid covers the interior of your colon, making any issues in your colon more evident on X-rays.

Treatments for Diverticulosis and Diverticulitis

Diverticula are permanent unless medically removed, which is rare. Dietary changes may reduce the risk of infection. If you have mild diverticulosis, your doctor may recommend a high-fiber diet to help keep your intestines moving and prevent diverticulitis.

Diverticulitis requires immediate medical attention to ensure full recovery and prevent life-threatening consequences. Diverticulitis is managed with diet, antibiotics, and surgery.

Diverticulitis is treated with bed rest, stool softeners, liquid diets, and potentially antispasmodic medications.

If you have a rupture or a serious infection, you will likely be hospitalized to get intravenous antibiotics. You may also be fed intravenously to rest your colon. Your doctor may also perform a temporary colostomy to drain infected abscesses and relax the digestive system. A colostomy makes a stoma for your intestine to empty into a bag connected to the front of your belly. This method may be reversed during a second surgery if recovery is successful.

If you have had repeated bouts of acute diverticulitis, your doctor may choose to remove the damaged portion of your intestine. If intravenous treatment fails to treat an acute diverticulitis episode, surgery may be required. Whatever the therapy, immediate medical intervention increases the odds of a complete recovery.

To avoid constipation, drink eight 8-ounce glasses of water every day. If you’re constipated, prunes or prune juice may help. Eat a low-fat diet; fat slows digestion.

Stick to clear drinks or broths when diverticula are swollen and irritable.

During remission, include high-fiber meals such as cooked vegetables, cooked fruits, and apples in your diet. Probiotics from yogurt may also assist.

Diverticulitis and Diverticulosis Dietary Guidelines

According to research published, there are no specific foods that should be avoided by anybody who has diverticulosis or diverticulitis. You may, on the other hand, discover that some meals make your condition worse or better.

As your symptoms begin to improve, your dietitian may advise you to consume more high-fiber meals to maintain your health. Some research suggests that diverticulosis and diverticulitis are two conditions that may be prevented by eating a high-fiber diet.

It is possible that your dietitian may advise you to reduce your intake of red meat, high-fat dairy products, and refined grain items. According to the findings of a major cohort study conducted by Trusted Source, people who consume a diet high in these items are more likely to develop diverticulosis and diverticulitis than those who ingest a diet high in fruits, vegetables and whole-grain products.

It is possible that your diet might help you manage diverticulosis and diverticulitis, as well as your general digestive health.

Dietary Modifications

For a few days, your dietitian may recommend that you forgo solid meals and stick to a clear liquid diet in order to allow your digestive system a chance to rest and recuperate.