Diverticulitis
We like to think of the intestines, both large and small, as a perfectly shaped tube. And for most of the GI tract, this is true. However, parts of the large intestine can be pocked with small pouches or bulges called diverticula (via the Cleveland Clinic). The presence of diverticula in the colon is common and generally non-problematic. However, if one of these pouches becomes inflamed, abdominal pain can occur. This condition is called diverticulitis. The development of diverticulitis is complicated. A lack of fiber in the diet may be a major contributor, it can cause “a buildup of waste (constipation) in your colon.” When you are constipated, the walls of your colon feel the additional pressure, which can lead to the formation of diverticula in your colon’s “weak areas.”
The characteristic symptoms of the condition may include left lower quadrant pain, fever, nausea and/or vomiting, and (occasional) rectal bleeding. Notably, the diagnosis of diverticulitis consists of multiple modalities, including blood tests, CT scans, colonoscopies and stool sample examinations, to name a few. Treatment consists of various antibiotic options, as well as pain medication and changes to diet. Sometimes, though, diverticulitis is severe enough to warrant the removal of the inflamed section of the colon.
