Acute diverticulitis is a potentially life-threatening intestinal disorder that doctors began to notice at the beginning of the 1900s, according to Mayo Clinic, just as Americans began eating processed food on a daily basis. Acute diverticulitis is primarily seen in older people, but but according to a study published in 2006 in "American Journal of Roentgenology," diverticulitis is increasingly seen in young obese adults.
Definition
As a precursor to diverticulitis, hard stool presses against the walls of the colon for long periods of time, causing the intestinal wall to bulge outward and develop pouches. These pouches, known as diverticula, are usually found in the lower part of the large intestine. The development of diverticula is more common after the age of 40, according to MedlinePlus, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine. Acute diverticulitis is defined as the inflammation of these diverticula and symptoms that may arise as a result. According to the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse, 10 to 25 percent of people with diverticula develop diverticulitis.
Cause
Acute diverticulitis often indicates that the person has eaten a low-fiber diet most of his life. Diverticulitis is more prevalent in industrialized nations like the United States where the average diet is high in refined carbohydrates and low in fiber. This diet leads to hard stools, which tend to sit in the colon instead of moving along.
Symptoms
Acute diverticulitis causes severe abdominal pain. A physician may note tenderness on the patient's lower left abdomen where the sigmoid colon is located. Additionally, the person may have fever and chills, cramping, nausea and vomiting, and changes in bowel habits. Both diarrhea and constipation are possible symptoms.
Treatment
A diagnosis of acute diverticulitis results in treatment with antibiotics. Patients may be able to care for themselves at home or they may be hospitalized, depending on the severity of the condition. Doctors often prescribe rest, antibiotics and a clear liquid or low-fiber diet. A person with diverticulitis should avoid eating foods containing whole grain, fruits and vegetables until the colon heals. Such a diet does not treat or prevent diverticulitis; it merely allows the digestive tract to heal by avoiding foods that may further irritate the intestine. Once the intestines are healed, the patient needs to increase his intake of fiber, fruits and vegetables.
Complications
Repeated attacks of acute diverticulitis or the development of an abscess may lead to surgery. Possible complication include perforation of the intestinal wall, or the development of a fistula, which is an abnormal connection between organs. A perforation or fistula will leak stool into the surrounding organs or abdominal cavity. This is an extremely serious, life-threatening situation that requires immediate surgery and hospitalization. Sometimes surgery results in a complete bowel resection, and the patient must wear a colostomy bag.
Change in Lifestyle
Acute diverticulitis can result in lifestyle changes after the painful symptoms of diverticultis have subsided. In addition to the diet that was already mentioned, other lifestyle factors can inhibit proper digestion, such as a sedentary lifestyle and smoking. Patients should discuss healthy lifestyle changes with their doctor to prevent further episodes of acute diverticulitis.
References
- Mayo Clinic: Diverticulitis
- "American Journal of Roentgenology": CT and Clinical Features of Acute Diverticulitis in an Urban U.S. Population: Rising Frequency in Young, Obese Adults; Eram Zaidi and Barry Daly; 2006
- National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse: Diverticulosis and Diverticulitis
- MedlinePlus: Diverticulitis
