What is Diverticulitis?
When a pouch, or diverticulum, forms at an opening in the wall of the digestive tube, it is known as diverticulosis. On the lower left side of the belly is where the majority of these pouches, or diverticula, develop. Because colonic diverticula seldom causes symptoms, most people with the condition learn about it during a normal colon screening.
Inflammation or infection of the diverticula is known as diverticulitis. The incidence of colon diverticulitis is much lower in those under the age of 30 than in those over the age of 60.
What are the symptoms of diverticulitis?
Problems stemming from diverticulitis, which is defined as inflammation or infection of the diverticula.
- Severe and perhaps fatal bleeding
- Constipation, diarrhea, gas, bloating, lower abdominal cramps, or pain that doesn’t go away
- The most common signs of colon diverticulitis
- Pain in the belly
- Irregular bowel movements
- Fever
- Discomfort or throwing up
- Discomfort from colonic diverticulitis may begin mildly and worsen with time.
- Alternately, the pain could be sharp and unexpected. The symptoms of colonic diverticulitis, including discomfort, might evolve.
You can also read: What are the symptoms of diverticular disease?
What are the possible complications of diverticulitis?
- A pus-filled abscess is an inflamed, painful region of infection.
- A fistula is an abnormal hole that opens up in the colon from another organ.
- Blockage of the intestines’ ability to empty their contents is known as an intestinal obstruction.
- A perforation is a hole that opens up in the wall of the colon.
- Inflammation of the lining of the abdominal cavity, also known as peritoneal infection
- The most common signs of an esophageal diverticulum
- Having foul breath
- Pain in the neck or chest
- Persistent cough
- Having trouble swallowing
- The sensation of having food stuck in one’s throat
- Soreness during gulping
- Having stomach issues
One distinctive symptom of diverticulitis of the throat is Boyce’s sign, which is a gurgling sound produced when air travels through a diverticulum.
Issues that can arise from throat diverticulitis
- Aspiration pneumonia is caused by swallowing food particles
- The uncommon cancer known as squamous cell carcinoma
- A blockage in the throat that hinders swallowing
How do diverticulitis and diverticula develop?
There are several potential causes of colonic diverticula, including environmental variables and genetic predispositions. It is believed that increased colonic pressure is what causes diverticulas in the colon.
Some lifestyle choices that can increase the risk of colon diverticula are:
- Red meat-heavy diets that are deficient in fiber
- Not moving around enough
- Weight Problems
- Harmful Habits
- Steroids, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and other medications
Treatment for diverticulitis and diverticular illness
Most patients can recover from diverticulitis without any consequences as long as the medication is administered promptly and effectively. Preventing diverticulosis and diverticulitis symptoms is mainly possible through dietary and lifestyle changes.
Doctors typically advise their patients with diverticulitis to ease into a high-fiber diet that includes fruits, vegetables, healthy grains, and other plant-based foods. Other significant variables in preventing or treating diverticulitis symptoms include drinking enough water or juice, exercising sufficiently, maintaining a healthy weight, minimizing red meat, getting adequate sleep, and not smoking.
New evidence suggests that avoiding popcorn, nuts, and seeds won’t help alleviate colonic diverticulitis symptoms.
If your doctor suspects diverticulitis, he or she may prescribe over-the-counter stool softeners or other medications to help control the condition. They may also prescribe medications to ease the discomfort of diverticulitis.
Other methods for dealing with diverticulitis
A liquid diet and antibiotics or other medications for diverticulitis may be necessary if symptoms persist after using the aforementioned approaches. Your diverticulitis care provider may recommend a high-fiber diet to help alleviate your symptoms.
Hospitalization for the administration of intravenous fluids for diverticulitis may be necessary in cases with severe or recurrent symptoms. A low-fiber or liquid diet will also be prescribed to you during this treatment.
Esophageal diverticula treatment
Alterations to one’s way of life that have the potential to alleviate the symptoms of throat diverticulitis include:
- Eating by thoroughly chewing
- Keeping hydrated before, during, and after meals
- Follow a bland diet plan
- Eating food in small portions
Procedures to cure diverticulitis surgically
- Surgery for diverticulitis may be necessary if severe symptoms persist or if complications develop.
- Making the opening of the esophagus wider to facilitate the passage of food
- Enlarging the diverticula’s entrances to facilitate drainage
- The diverticula is removed by excising a small section of the digestive tract.
If you are suffering from diverticulitis, getting a consultation from Dr. Avadh Patel can help you get a treatment that is customized to your health. To know more, contact Dr. Avadh Patel, a top colorectal surgeon in Ahmedabad at Kaizen Hospital.