Diverticulosis is Lifetime Risky if not treated

Intro

Diverticulosis is an inflammation formed inside your diverticula (the large intestine). Small pockets can form in the lining of your digestive system (your doctor will call it a rupture) of your bowel. If it is infected, you have a sharp pain in your lower left abdominal quadrant, it might be diverticulosis. which needs medical attention. The exact reason why diverticulosis develops is not known, but they are associated with not eating enough fiber.

Diverticulosis

Diverticulosis Population

Around 50 % of the population is expected to have diverticulosis at the age of 50 years. Roughly about 10 to 25 % of people with diverticulosis will develop diverticulitis, At the age of 80 years, about 65 percent of people have diverticulosis.

A study found that the incidence of diverticulitis among young obese adults is growing. An estimated cost of digestive diseases is now more than $141 billion a year in the United States. as reported by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) 

Warning Signs Of Diverticulitis

• Nausea and vomiting.
• Abdominal pain, often severe(the sigmoid colon)
• Fever, 
• constipation, or diarrhea.
• More frequent urination
• Pain in the lower left abdomen may radiate to the back, legs, groin, or side. It may also cause a distended abdomen or palpable colon.
•  Rectal bleeding may occur and diverticulitis, stress, and depression may be possible causes.

Different types of Diverticulitis

Diverticulitis begins as an acute problem

It comes on suddenly and disappears shortly with treatment. 

However, some people have recurring (repeat) episodes of diverticulitis, and some people develop chronic inflammation. 

Complicated/uncomplicated

Most of the time, diverticulitis is uncomplicated,
With proper treatment, healing of diverticulitis can occur easily. However, if the inflammation becomes severe, complications may arise. In such cases, a diverticulum (singular of diverticula) may rupture due to acute inflammation, while chronic inflammation may lead to scarring. Additionally, lower abdominal pain may sometimes spread to the pelvis or radiate to the back.

What are the discomforts that a person may experience?

• Severe abdominal pain and fever. 
• Pain might be sharp and penetrating, 
• You might have a burning sensation. 
• The pain is usually moderate to severe.
• Pain may be constant and persist for several days

Diagnosis and Tests

• Your healthcare provider may begin with 
• Blood test (comprehensive metabolic panel),
• Stool test or urine test.
• A CT scan works well: 
• Colonoscopy inside your colon with a lighted scope to investigate further. 

How can diverticulitis be treated?

Antibiotics to treat infection, 

It is recommended that you follow a liquid diet for a few days to allow your bowel to heal. Once you start feeling better, you can gradually reintroduce solid foods into your diet. In rare cases, in about 5 out of 100 people, symptoms persist and require treatment, including surgery.

What causes diverticulitis? 

Diverticulitis occurs due to a tear in the lining of the intestine, which becomes infected. Bacteria can easily accumulate in these tears, leading to inflammation.

In some cases, hard poop may get stuck in one of the tears, causing a diverticulum to swell and tear.

Other factors that can cause a tear include inflammation in the colon (colitis) and cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection.

Risk factors for diverticulitis

Age, obesity, smoking, lack of exercise, a diet high in animal fats and low in fiber, and some medications, such as steroids, opiates, and non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs). Genetics may also play a role.

Is diverticulitis curable? 

Diverticulitis requires lifelong management, and flare-up attacks may occur. The likelihood of recurrence depends on a person's overall health and how well preventative measures are maintained.

Is diverticulitis hereditary?

• Diverticulitis seems to occur incidentally (by chance).
• Genetics may play a role in the development of diverticulosis.
• Although you aren’t born with diverticulosis, more likely to develop it in a certain part of your colon if you’re of European or Asian descent.
• It’s also possible that genetics could influence your likelihood of developing chronic inflammation
• More research is needed on this subject.                      

DIVERTICULOSIS            DIVERTICULITIS      

Several complications can arise from diverticulitis including:

• Abscess: A buildup of pus in the bowel.
•  Bowel obstruction: A blockage in the bowel.
•  Fistula: An opening from the bowel to another organ like the bladder.
•  Perforation: A hole in the bowel that can cause a potentially deadly infection called peritonitis.
•  Colostomy: In some cases, this may be necessary.

Other complications

•  Gastrointestinal bleeding: Diverticula can cause severe bleeding and lead to anemia.
  
•  Intestinal obstruction: Swelling in the colon can cause temporary narrowing.
•  Bladder inflammation: Diverticulitis close to the bladder can irritate it. An infection in the bladder can also occur if there is a fistula.
• An abscess is a localized collection of pus that can cause serious complications if left untreated, such as peritonitis.
• Gastrointestinal perforation: If a diverticulum becomes swollen enough to rupture (tear), intestinal bacteria could leak into your peritoneal cavity. Peritonitis can lead to sepsis.

Seven potential home remedies for diverticulitis

• Try a liquid diet
• Adopt a low-fiber diet.
• Get more vitamin D.
• Apply a heating pad.
• Try probiotics. 
• Get more exercise.
• Try herbal remedies.

If conservative at-home treatment for diverticulitis fails or if you have severe, chronic, or complicated diverticulitis, you may need to be hospitalized for treatment. This could include:

IV medication: Antibiotics or antivirals through an IV line so that the medicine goes directly to your bloodstream.

Blood transfusion: If you have lost a lot of blood from a bleeding diverticulum, you may need an emergency blood transfusion to replace it.

Endoscopic procedures: Your provider may use a colonoscope or sigmoidoscope — different types of endoscopes that examine your colon — to treat minor complications.

Surgery: Some people may need surgery to treat an abscess, persistent bleeding, perforation (tear), or fistula. In rare cases of chronic diverticulitis, some people may require surgical removal of the affected bowel section, which may involve a temporary colostomy.

The stages of diverticulitis are:

There are two stages of abscess formation in the abdominal region. In Stage I, an abscess forms around the colon and is confined by the mesentery. In Stage II, the abscess spreads to the pelvic region due to local perforation and may be surrounded by the colon, mesocolon, omentum, small bowel, uterus, fallopian tubes and ovaries, and/or pelvic peritoneum.

Can you fully recover from diverticulitis?

• Treatment options for this condition include antibiotics, lifestyle changes, and home remedies. Treatment may be done at home or in the hospital for more severe cases.

Treatment for Hospitalized

For patients hospitalized with complicated cases of diverticulitis, carbapenems are the most effective empiric therapy due to increasing bacterial resistance to other regimens. The following are some of the potential regimens for treating the condition: Ciprofloxacin plus metronidazole and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole plus metronidazole.

Diet for Diverticulosis

• Beans and legumes.
• Bran, whole wheat bread, and whole grain cereals like oatmeal in your diet.".
• Brown and wild rice.
• Fruits such as apples, bananas, and pears.
• Vegetables such as broccoli, carrots, corn, and squash.
• Whole wheat pasta.

Is diverticulitis curable without surgery?

It is common for people who experience symptoms of diverticulitis to delay seeking medical care due to embarrassment or fear that they will require gastrointestinal surgery with a colostomy bag. However, it is important to know that most patients with diverticulitis can effectively manage their symptoms with antibiotics and lifestyle adjustments.

Can be cured at home.

Diverticulitis is a condition that can be treated with antibiotics, lifestyle changes, and home remedies. With the right treatment, the condition may improve and possibly go away completely. Conservative methods can be used to treat the condition at home, while more complicated cases may require hospitalization

Delaying seeking care is not recommended as it can lead to more complications. Healthcare providers suggest avoiding NSAIDs such as aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen sodium when you have diverticulitis as they can increase the risk of bleeding.

To prevent diverticulitis from occurring or returning.

It is recommended to maintain general bowel wellness by eating more plants and fewer animal fats, drinking enough water, and getting regular exercise to keep your bowel movements healthy. Most patients with diverticulitis can manage their symptoms with antibiotics and lifestyle changes, without requiring surgery. 

Drugs to avoid 

Healthcare providers advise against taking NSAIDs during diverticulitis as they increase bleeding risk.” These include:

Aspirin (Bayer® or St. Joseph®).

Ibuprofen (Motrin® or Advil®).

Naproxen sodium (Aleve®).

Conclusion.

People are advised not to be embarrassed or fear about Left lower abdominal pain or frequent urination.  Many of us are under the impression that frequent urination is due to Diabetes or Prostate problems.  There is yet another reason for frequent urination is Diverticulosis which is curable if we act at an appropriate time.