But there are other factors that may increase your risk of developing diverticulitis. Diverticulitis symptoms can be similar to several other digestive conditions.
Your doctor will be able to do the necessary tests and procedures to rule out other causes, and to give you an accurate diagnosis. This will help them eliminate other conditions and pinpoint the cause of your symptoms. To start, you doctor will review your symptoms and your medical history. If diverticulitis is suspected, your doctor may order a computed tomography CT scan. This type of imaging test can help your doctor see inside your colon and identify the diverticula and their severity.
If your symptoms are more severe, or you have other health problems, you may need to be hospitalized until the infection starts to improve. In a hospital setting, your diverticulitis will likely be treated with:. In severe cases, surgery may be needed. This is typically the case when:. If your diverticulitis is mild, your doctor may recommend a clear liquid diet for a few days to give your colon time to heal.
Once your symptoms start to improve, your doctor may recommend that you start adding low-fiber foods to your daily food plan, such as:.
As you get older, your colon wall can become weaker. This can cause small pockets or pouches to form in weakened areas of your colon. If these pouches get infected, it can cause a diverticulitis attack or flare-up. The most common symptom of diverticulitis is a sharp cramp-like pain, usually on the left side of your lower abdomen.
Other symptoms can include fever and chills, nausea, vomiting, and constipation or diarrhea. Diverticulitis can be a painful and uncomfortable condition, but with the right treatment and preventive measures, it can be well controlled. Diverticulitis is a condition that affects the digestive system. Learn which foods to eat and to avoid to reduce symptoms, and what to eat during…. Diverticulitis is a disease of the intestines in which small, often painful pouches form. These pouches may become infected and can be a medical….
John McCain was treated for diverticulitis. Experts say this serious gastrointestinal disorder is on the rise in the developed world. Surgical removal of the affected portion of the colon and the infected or inflamed diverticula should resolve the problem. In the past, doctors used to tell people with diverticulitis that they should avoid eating popcorn, nuts, large and small seeds pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds and everything in between and foods which contain seeds including tomatoes and strawberries to reduce the risk of a flare-up, but this is an outdated recommendation.
Feel free to eat these foods, unless they cause you discomfort. Meet our source: Steven Koerner, D. To make an appointment with Dr. It can be common to have bloating, gas pressure, or mild belly pain. These can be caused by eating certain foods or by stress. Home treatment usually will take care of these symptoms. If home treatment doesn't help or if the symptoms become worse, see your doctor. He or she may do tests to see if you have an infection or to make sure that you don't have other problems.
Tests may include:. Treatment depends on how bad your symptoms are. If the pain is mild, you are able to drink liquids, and you have no signs of complications, treatment may include:.
If the pain is severe, you are not able to drink liquids, or you have complications of diverticulitis, you may need a hospital stay. Treatment will include:. Sometimes surgery is needed to treat some problems or repeated attacks.
Medicines to stop infection and to control symptoms often are used to treat attacks of diverticulitis. Medicines are not used to prevent future attacks of diverticulitis. Many people may never need surgery. The decision to have surgery should be based on how severe your condition is, what you prefer, and the risks and benefits. Talking to your doctor will help you decide. Surgery, called bowel resection, involves removing the diseased part of the large intestine partial colectomy.
The remaining parts are reconnected. Sometimes more than one surgery is needed. When that's the case, the person most often has a colostomy during the time between surgeries. A colostomy is a procedure in which the upper part of the intestine is sewn to an opening made in the skin of the belly. Stool passes out of the body at this opening and into a disposable bag. In most cases, the colostomy is removed later and the intestine is reconnected.
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Request Appointment. Health Encyclopedia. Home » Health Resources » Health Encyclopedia. Top of the page. Condition Basics What is diverticulitis? What causes it? What are the symptoms? How is it diagnosed? How is diverticulitis treated? Cause Doctors aren't sure what causes diverticulitis. What Increases Your Risk The possibility of having diverticulitis increases with age.
You may be more likely to develop diverticulitis if you: Eat a low-fiber diet. Have a family history of diverticulosis. Use nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs NSAIDs or aspirin regularly more than 4 days a week for many years.
Prevention You can do some things to help prevent diverticulitis. Eat a high-fiber diet that is low in fat and red meat. Take a fiber supplement, such as Citrucel or Metamucil, every day if needed. Read and follow all instructions on the label. Practice healthy bowel habits.
Schedule time each day for a bowel movement. Having a daily routine may help. Drink plenty of water. Exercise regularly. Symptoms Symptoms of diverticulitis may last from a few hours to several days. These symptoms may include: Tenderness, cramps, or pain in the belly.
This is often in the lower left side but may occur on the right. These symptoms are sometimes worse when you move. Pain is the most common symptom. Fever and chills. A bloated feeling, swelling in the belly, or gas. Diarrhea or constipation.
Nausea and sometimes vomiting. Not feeling like eating. What Happens Diverticulitis occurs when pouches diverticula that have formed in the wall of the large intestine colon become inflamed or infected.
When to Call Call or other emergency services immediately if the person has been bleeding from the anus and has signs of shock. Call your doctor now if you have pain in your belly that is in one spot as opposed to general pain in the belly , especially if you also have: Fever or chills.
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