CONDITIONS
DIVERTICULA DISEASE
This disease combines three conditions and is characterised by the development of small sacs in the internal lining of the colon, including diverticulosis, diverticulitis, and diverticular bleeding.
Sign and Symptoms
It can occur suddenly and without warning. Its most common symptoms may include:
- Tenderness or painful cramps in the lower abdomen
- Alternating diarrhoea and constipation
- Chills or fever
Causes
These are out pockets of the mucosa and submucosa through natural weaknesses of muscle layers in the colon wall. Diverticulitis occurs when a pouch gets infected by a microorganism, resulting in infection or inflammation or both.
Diagnosis
This disease is usually diagnosed during an acute attack. Because abdominal pain and cramping can indicate a number of gut problems, a doctor will need to exclude other possible causes for symptoms of the Diverticular disease. Following tests and procedures are routinely done to make a confirmed diagnosis.
- Blood tests
- CT scan
- Urine routine examination
- Liver function tests
- Pregnancy test for women of childbearing age
- Stool test
Treatment
Treatment depends on the type of condition and severity of signs and symptoms. It can include;
- Oral antibiotics, to treat an infection
- Intravenous antibiotics
- IV feed (a liquid diet) for a few days
- Drainage of the abscess by passing a tube in the gut
Surgery
A patient will likely need surgery to treat the Diverticular disease if:
- He is immunocompromised
- He has had multiple episodes of diverticulitis
- He has a complication, such as an abscess, fistula, bowel obstruction, or perforation.
There are two main types of surgery:
- Primary bowel resection
- Bowel resection with colostomy