As people age, they develop small pouches, known as diverticula, within the lining of their large intestine. The Cleveland Clinic states diverticula form from increased pressure on weakened spots of the intestinal wall and are the result of gas, waste or liquid. When numerous diverticula form within the weakened lining of intestinal wall, the wall begins to bulge outward, a condition known as diverticulosis. Infection and inflammation to one or more bulging diverticula causes diverticulitis to develop. Approximately 10 to 25 percent of people with diverticulosis develop diverticulitis, according to John Hopkins Medicine.
Mechanism
Diverticulitis, a medical condition, results from infection and inflammation of one or more diverticula. The Cleveland Clinic states diverticulitis tends to develop when bulging diverticula become blocked with waste, causing bacteria to build up so an infection develops. John Hopkins Medicine also reports that when hardened stool gets trapped in a diverticula it can lead to perforation. A perforation is a small hole in the tip of a diverticula, which allows bacteria to enter the abdomen.
Causes
The National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse states that theories believe a low-fiber diet is the main culprit to the development of diverticulitis. Diverticulitis first became a known disease in the early 1900s when processed, low-fiber foods were first introduced into the American diet. In fact, John Hopkins Medicine also agrees with this theory, stating a low-fiber diet causes constipation. Constipation creates increased pressure within the large intestine from people straining to move the hardened stool. Straining can cause weak spots in the intestinal wall to bulge outward.
Symptoms
Abdominal pain, the most common symptom of diverticulitis, is usually located on the lower left side of the abdomen, according to John Hopkins Medicine. The pain, often described as severe, comes on suddenly in most individuals, according to the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse. However, its intensity can fluctuate, meaning in one instant it may be severe, while the next it may be mild. Other symptoms people may experience include painful or difficult urination, cramping, nausea, vomiting, fever, chills, diarrhea or constipation.
Treatment
Clearing up the inflammation and infection, resting the colon and preventing or minimizing complications are the main treatment goals for diverticulitis, according to the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse. The course of treatment depends mainly on the severity of the patient's symptoms. In mild cases, doctors usually recommend bed rest, oral antibiotics, a pain reliever and a liquid diet.
Individuals with severe cases of diverticulitis typically have to stay in the hospital, where they receive an IV antibiotic. These individuals are not allowed food or drink during their stay so their colon can rest. Severe cases of diverticulitis that are not treated with antibiotics may require surgery.
Complications
Bleeding, abscess formation and fistula are three complications that may arise from diverticulitis, according to John Hopkins Medicine. Bleeding from the rectum occurs in approximately 15 to 40 percent of people with diverticulitis. An abscess may form in the abdominal cavity next to the colon if antibiotic therapy does not destroy the infection. A fistula, an abnormal connection between two organs, can form when an abscess erodes. The fistula usually develops a passageway between the colon and a neighboring organ, according to John Hopkins Medicine.
