Diverticular Disease
What is it?
· Diverticular disease is very common
· It is the formation of outpouchings or buldges in the bowel wall.
What symptoms does it cause?
· Most people with diverticular disease have no symptoms.
· However some people develop complications.
This can include:
Diverticulitis. This is when these pouches become inflamed or infected. Diverticulitis is painful, cause fevers and chills and can become a medical emergency.
Other potential complication include bleeding from the bowel, abscess from bowel perforation, bowel blockages or fistulas (a connection betwwen the bowel and other organs- for example the bladder)
To spite having similar symptoms to colon cancer, diverticular disease is not associated with cancer but tests need to be preformed to distinguish between the two problems.
What Caused It?
Diets low in fibre are thought to be the main cause.
Diverticular disease becomes more common as we age.
Sometime diverticular disease is seen in a number of family members.
How is it treated?
· Tests need to be carried out to rule out any other diagnosis such as cancer- this is usually a colonoscopy.
· Dietary modification - increased fiber and fiber supplements.
· Antibiotics for infections. Some people have to be admitted to hospital for bowel rest and antibiotics intravenously (through a drip)
· Surgery may be required for severe infection or to prevent recurrence. Laparoscopic surgery (keyhole) can be used.
· Bleeding will usually settle with bowel rest and antibiotics. Occasionally a transfusion will be necessary. If bleeding does not stop surgery may be required.
What is the outcome?
· Only around 10%-25% of people with diverticular disease develop infections or inflammation (diverticulitis).
· Of the patients with diverticulitis only 15-25% of people will develop complications leading to surgery.
What is it?
· Diverticular disease is very common
· It is the formation of outpouchings or buldges in the bowel wall.
What symptoms does it cause?
· Most people with diverticular disease have no symptoms.
· However some people develop complications.
This can include:
Diverticulitis. This is when these pouches become inflamed or infected. Diverticulitis is painful, cause fevers and chills and can become a medical emergency.
Other potential complication include bleeding from the bowel, abscess from bowel perforation, bowel blockages or fistulas (a connection betwwen the bowel and other organs- for example the bladder)
To spite having similar symptoms to colon cancer, diverticular disease is not associated with cancer but tests need to be preformed to distinguish between the two problems.
What Caused It?
Diets low in fibre are thought to be the main cause.
Diverticular disease becomes more common as we age.
Sometime diverticular disease is seen in a number of family members.
How is it treated?
· Tests need to be carried out to rule out any other diagnosis such as cancer- this is usually a colonoscopy.
· Dietary modification - increased fiber and fiber supplements.
· Antibiotics for infections. Some people have to be admitted to hospital for bowel rest and antibiotics intravenously (through a drip)
· Surgery may be required for severe infection or to prevent recurrence. Laparoscopic surgery (keyhole) can be used.
· Bleeding will usually settle with bowel rest and antibiotics. Occasionally a transfusion will be necessary. If bleeding does not stop surgery may be required.
What is the outcome?
· Only around 10%-25% of people with diverticular disease develop infections or inflammation (diverticulitis).
· Of the patients with diverticulitis only 15-25% of people will develop complications leading to surgery.