Acute Diverticulitis

The digestive system of humans consists of a long tube like structure known as colon or the large intestine. The colon is responsible for storing and eliminating the waste material that is produced by the system. Sometimes, due to the pressure that develops within the colon, the internal lining of the digestive tract develops small pouches, known as diverticula. This condition is known as diverticulosis. Diverticulosis is a common condition that mostly affects people over the age of 40. Diverticula can be produced anywhere in the digestive tract, but are mostly seen in the large intestine. Now, due to several reasons, these pouches can become inflamed and this condition is known as acute diverticulitis. In this article, we shall discuss the causes, symptoms as well as treatment options for acute diverticulitis.

Acute Diverticulitis Causes

Although the exact cause of this condition is not known, it is believed that a diet low in fiber can be the primary cause. Dietary fibers play an important role in improving bowel movements. Lack of fiber in the diet can lead to constipation and build up pressure inside the colon. This pressure results in vigorous contractions in the colon and may push the lining of the intestine outwards through the spaces in the muscle walls, forming sacs or pouches called diverticula. Colonic bacteria feeding on the undigested food particles or fecal matter that gets accumulated in these sacs can cause infections. The constant accumulation of waste matter in the diverticulitis can result in severe inflammation. Thickening of the colon wall with age can also be one of the causes of increased pressure in the intestine that may result in diverticulosis, followed by diverticulitis. Now, that you know what is diverticulitis and how it is caused, take a look at the symptoms of acute diverticulitis.

Acute Diverticulitis Symptoms

It is observed that people with diverticulosis generally have very few or no symptoms at all. However, as the diverticula gets inflamed, the person may experience the following symptoms:

• Abdominal pain
• Stomach cramps
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Constipation
• Irregular bowel habits
• Fever

In some cases, the person may experience bloating and rectal bleeding, which may require immediate medical attention. However, these diverticulitis symptoms rarely develop.

Acute Diverticulitis Treatment

If left untreated, diverticulitis can cause major complications such as bleeding due to rupture of the diverticula, perforations in the intestinal wall or obstruction in the colon. The bacterial infection can even spread to other tissues of the body. Acute diverticulitis should be treated as soon as possible to avoid the further complications. Mild conditions can be treated with oral antibiotics, however, surgical removal of the problem area in the colon may be required in severe cases. It is observed that a diet for diverticulitis can be an effective way to treat the condition. You may be asked to follow an all liquid diet for a few days immediately after a diverticulitis attack. This may include juices (without pulp), broth, gelatin, clear soups and sodas and plenty of plain water. As your symptoms subside, you can slowly introduce fiber into the diet by consuming low fiber foods such as eggs, yogurt, thoroughly cooked vegetables (without seeds and skin), canned fruits and plain pasta, followed by a high fiber diet.

An ideal acute diverticulitis diet plan should include foods that are rich in fiber, to improve bowel movements and avoid pressure build up in the intestine. Foods that are difficult to digest such as nuts and seeds, corns, processed foods, refined products should be avoided. Although a high fiber diet plan will not help in curing the condition completely, it will certainly assist in cleaning the body and will reduce the pressure generated in the colon.

This was all about acute diverticulitis. The simplest way to avoid complications is to include adequate amounts of fiber in your daily diet. However, if you observe any of the diverticulitis symptoms mentioned above, consult your medical health care provider as soon as possible.