Diverticulosis and Diverticulitis By: Mark Torres Human Anatomy and Physiology II TR 3:15-6:00

Disease Description Diverticular disease consists of three conditions that involve the development of small sacs or pockets in the wall of the colon called diverticulum, or diverticula (plural) They are most common in the lower portion of the large intestine called the sigmoid colon.

Description continue….. Diverticula increase with age and is seen in more than 40% of people over the age of 60 in the U.S. Many people don’t know they have diverticula because they may have zero or very few symptoms. They find out when test are done to them. 10 to 25 percent of people with diverticulosis get diverticulitis.

Pathophysiology Diverticulosis In diverticulosis, diverticula are formed because of increased pressure on weak spots of the intestinal walls by gas, waste, or liquids. Diverticula can also form if you are straining during bowel movement, like constipation

Pathophysiology Diverticulitis Diverticulitis is caused is when the diverticula ruptures and/or becomes infected. Infection occurs when a diverticula is blocked with waste, bacteria can build up. Or when it ruptures bacteria is released into the abdominal cavity. Diverticulitis is usually caused by a low fiber diet. Fiber helps with digestion and prevent constipation. Bleeding can also occur when there is an chronic injury to the small blood vessels near the diverticula.

Signs and Symptoms People with diverticulosis usually have no symptoms that are troublesome but they may have constipation or abdominal pain/tenderness Diverticulitis have the same symptoms plus several others. The patients may have abdominal pain, cramps, constipation or diarrhea, bleeding in the colon and during defecation, colon obstruction, infection of the abdominal cavity.

Signs and Symptoms Diverticulitis is much more serious and there can be many complications. Peritonitis (a painful infection of the abdominal cavity) Abscesses ("walled off" infections of pus in the abdomen) Blockages of the intestine

Diagnosis To determine if one has diverticulosis or diverticulitis the doctor will perform a test to discover the problem. Tests may include X-rays, CT scanning, ultrasound testing, a sigmoidoscopy, colonoscopy, and blood tests to look for signs of infection or the extent of bleeding

Treatment If the disease isn’t too severe the patients can just change their diet to relieve some of the symptoms. Their diet will consist of high fiber which can be found in foods like sunflower seeds, beans, nuts, flax seeds, and bran (wheat, oak, rice). Also increase water intake. One can also take some medications. For abdonminal pain one can take anti-spasmodic drugs like Librax or Bentyl.

Treatment For diverticulitis antibiotics are needed to treat the infection. Some of the meds are Cipro and Flagyl. For severe cases surgery may be need to clean the colon and abdominal cavity of any blockage and even remove parts of the damage/infected colon.