Diverticulitis is a digestive system disease characterized by infection or inflammation of parts of the colon---large intestine---called diverticula. Diverticula are pouches that bulge out of weak locations in the colon walls. These pouches occur in a disease called diverticulosis. Diverticulitis is associated with complications such as colon perforation that may require colostomy surgery.
History
According to Mayo Clinic, diverticulitis was initially seen during the early 1900s in the United States. It is a disease that is typically seen in industrialized countries where diets are commonly low in fiber and high in carbohydrates. When individuals consume foods that are low in fiber, they produce small hard stools that subject the large intestine or colon to increased pressure; this could make portions of the colon wall weak.
Causes
The National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse reports that physicians are uncertain about the cause of diverticulitis. There are several theories about why it occurs, however. One of them is the belief that lack of blood flow to the diverticula---due to some form of obstruction--may result in inflammation. Another states that infection caused by food and fecal materials trapped in the diverticula may result in diverticulitis.
Risk Factors
Advanced age is a risk factor for diverticulitis. This may be due to age related changes that cause loss of flexibility and weakness in the walls of the colon. A diet that is low in fiber is also a risk factor for this disease. Fiber--the part of fruits, grains and vegetables the body is unable digest--help facilitate production of soft stools, make passing stool strain free and prevent constipation. A lifestyle that is devoid of exercise and being overweight are also risk factors or diverticulitis.
Effects/Complications
Signs or effects of diverticulitis include pain in the abdomen, tenderness in the abdomen, increase in body temperature or a fever, nausea, vomiting, constipation, bloating, diarrhea and bleeding. Serious complications of this condition are perforation of the colon, inflammation of the peritoneum or peritonitis---as a result of colon perforation-- bleeding in the rectum, abscess formation and fistulas.
Colostomy
Surgical removal of parts of the colon may be required as a result of perforation or other diverticulitis complications. After this, the parts left are joined back together. In some cases, the inflammation may be so much that rejoining the parts of the colon left is impossible. A colostomy is used in this situation, to give the colon time to heal.
To create a colostomy, a surgeon makes a hole in the abdomen. Then, the healthy part of the colon is pulled out of the bowel through the abdominal hole. The exposed part of the colon--colostomy-- permits the flow of stool out of the body and into a bag attached to the skin around the colostomy. This way, the parts of the colon affected by diverticulitis are spared the duty of stool evacuation so that they can heal.
