Understanding Diverticular Disease

updated 01/14/2008

A person suffers from Diverticulitis when the pouches of Diverticulosis become irritated and infected. This can lead to constipation and other health problems because it causes bowel movements to be very painful.

What are the symptoms of Diverticular Disease?

Symptoms include abdominal pain, (especially along the left side), cramping, constipation, fever, nausea, vomiting and chills.

Because the symptoms are similar to other disorders, diagnosis is sometimes difficult. First, a doctor will ask questions about patients' bowel habits, diet and other risk factors. A digital rectal exam will be performed. They may do X-rays, ultrasound, CT scanning, colonoscopy and sigmoidoscopy to develop a prognosis.

This very dangerous condition, if left untreated, can lead to a number of other serious complications. Most often these worse conditions occur when the colon wall tears or gets perforated. When that happens, toxic waste can leak into the abdominal cavity. Possible serious health problems that you may see include:

• Obstructions — Physical blockages in the intestines
• Abscesses — Infections in the abdomen that become "walled off"
• Fistulas — A connection between two organs or between an organ and the skin
• Peritonitis — A painful infection of the abdominal cavity that can be life threatening

Who is at risk for Diverticular Disease?

This disease is more prevalent among older people. The constant bombardment of the colon with toxins, mostly from food, contributes to an increased risk for developing this condition.

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