Diverticulitis – Causes, Symptoms and Treatments!

Diverticulitis – Causes, Symptoms and Treatments  that we should be informed about. Also,  Diverticulitis is an inflammation of the inner wall of the intestine, usually in the large intestine. The disease is characterized by abdominal pain, bulges in the abdomen and difficulties in going to the bathroom. This inflammatory process results from the formation of hernias of the glands present in the intestine, although also in any part of the digestive tract.

Diverticulitis is a silent disease and is asymptomatic at first. As the inflammatory process reaches more worrisome stages, symptoms begin to appear slowly and may result in pain crises.

The evaluation of symptoms is an important factor in helping with the diagnosis. Learn here what you need to know if you have this disease and what should be done to treat it properly.

Main Causes of Diverticulitis: The formations of diverticula in the intestinal wall are considered uncertain by some doctors. Some believe that constipation is considered to be one of the causes of diverticulitis , this is because more pressure is needed to pass your stool, so doctors believe that increased pressure can lead to the appearance of diverticula.

Other causes are:

Perforation: Diverticulitis can be caused by a drug-induced perforation or damage to the colon and is subject to serious complications. It is important to carry out a study with a specialist in order to identify the emergence of diverticula.

Lack of Fiber: It can also be caused by the lack of fiber in the diet. Fibers are responsible for helping to increase (or create) fecal volume, so that colonic contractions are shielded. When there is no fiber in the diet, the pressure inside the intestine increases and facilitates inflammation.

Age: One of the main factors that is responsible for the formation of diverticula is age. Over the years, the smooth muscle of the colon loses its elasticity and small hernias or diverticula can form. In general, they appear after the age of 50. Under 40, the disease is usually rare, but almost 85% of people aged 85 years have the problem, according to experts.

Genetics: Genetic factors are also considered for the development of diverticula formation. There are even studies in the area that aim to determine changes in the muscle fibers responsible for the process of intestinal contraction and the appearance of diverticula.

Main Symptoms of Diverticulitis: Symptoms of diverticulitis arise when there is inflammation of the diverticula, which are small pouches that form in the intestine and cause problems such as:

• Abdominal pain, usually in the lower part of the left side, that can last for several days and that can be mistaken for appendicitis.
• nausea;
• vomiting;
• Fever, usually below 39ºC;
• Lack of appetite;
• Increased tenderness in the abdomen, especially on the left side;
• Constipation or diarrhea .

When the individual has these symptoms, they should go to the emergency room or see a gastroenterologist or general surgeon for tests such as a CT scan, ultrasound or colonoscopy to diagnose the problem and start appropriate treatment.

Treatments for Diverticulitis: Some home treatments can help you control the symptoms of diverticulitis or reduce the chances of having diverticulitis-related illnesses. Some of these home treatments are:

• Applying heating pads to the abdomen to relieve cramping and pain.
• Eat fiber-rich foods such as whole-grain breads, brown rice, fresh fruits and vegetables
• Drink lots of fluids a day and eat at regular times

Some of the most prescribed antibiotics are:

• ciprofloxacin (Cipro)
• metronidazole (Flagyl)
• cephalexin (Keflex)
• Doxycycline (Vibramycin)

There are cases where the disease progresses due to infections, in these cases the body does not respond to antibiotics and the solution found is surgery. In surgery, what happens is the removal of part of your intestine where the infected diverticula are located. There aren’t many side effects from the surgery, it can be done laparoscopically, which limits pain and recovery.