How many people have diverticulosis

In many cases, specially trained interventional radiologists can accomplish that by using CT imagery to guide a thin plastic catheter through the skin into the abscess, allowing the pus to drain out. In most cases, the catheter stays in place for several days or until the drainage stops, while the patient continues to receive antibiotics and fluids. Sometimes, though, open surgery is required see below. Although an abscess requires aggressive treatment, it represents a partial success for the body's infection defense apparatus, since the infection is confined to a small area.

If that containment fails, infection spreads to the entire lining of the abdomen. Patients are critically ill with high fever, severe abdominal pain, and often low blood pressure. Prompt surgery and powerful antibiotics are required. Fistula formation. In diverticulitis, the infection can burrow into nearby tissues, such as another part of the intestinal tract, the urinary bladder, or the skin. This complication is less common than abscess formation and less urgent than peritonitis, but it does require both surgery and antibiotics.

Stricture formation. It's another uncommon complication that can develop from recurrent bouts of diverticulitis. In response to repeated inflammation, a portion of the colon becomes scarred and narrowed. Doctors call such narrowing a stricture, and they must call on surgeons to correct the problem so fecal material can pass through without obstruction. Most patients with uncomplicated diverticulitis respond well to antibiotics and bowel rest. The majority of patients with abscesses do well with drainage through a catheter, but patients with severe diverticulitis or threatening complications require surgery.

Here are some typical indications for diverticulitis surgery:. The timing and type of operation depend on the patient's individual circumstances. One traditional approach involves two separate operations, the first to remove the disease and divert the intestinal contents to a colostomy bag on the skin, and the second, several months later, to hook the colon and rectum back together see Figure 3.

In some cases, this can be accomplished with less-invasive laparoscopic surgery, and in milder cases, one operation may suffice. Still, the prospect of surgery makes a good case for eating plenty of fiber see below.

Diverticulitis is one main complication of diverticular disease of the colon. The other is diverticular bleeding. It occurs when a diverticulum erodes into the penetrating artery at its base see Figure 2. Because acute inflammation is absent, patients with diverticular bleeding don't have pain or fever.

The most common symptom is painless rectal bleeding. Since diverticular bleeding occurs in the colon, it produces bright red or maroon bowel movements. In contrast, when bleeding occurs in the stomach, the blood is partially digested as it passes through the intestinal tract, so it appears as black, tar-like bowel movements. In most patients, the bleeding is mild, and it usually stops on its own with bowel rest.

But brisk bleeding is a life-threatening emergency. It requires expert hospital care with blood transfusions and IV fluids. It also requires aggressive attempts to locate the site of bleeding and to stop it. Several techniques are available; most experts recommend colonoscopy doctors can see the bleeding artery through the scope and cauterize or clip it to stop the bleeding or angiography doctors thread a catheter into the artery that supplies blood to the colon, inject dye to see the bleeding artery on x-rays, and then inject medication to constrict the artery and stop the bleeding.

If neither approach stops the bleeding, surgery may be needed. Diverticular disease of the colon is preventable. A high-fiber diet will sharply reduce the risk of developing diverticula — and even after the pouches form, dietary fiber will reduce the risk of diverticulitis and diverticular bleeding.

The Institute of Medicine recommends 38 grams of fiber a day for men age 50 and under and 30 grams a day for older men. For women, the recommended amount is 30 grams a day for those age 50 and under and 21 grams a day thereafter. Most Americans get much, much less.

The table lists the fiber content of some foods and supplements. Fiber is important for bowel function and general health, but it can be hard to get used to. In that situation, hospitalization usually is required for effective treatment.

In some cases, emergency surgery may be necessary to repair a hole in the colon. In contrast to diverticulosis, diverticulitis is uncommon. Only about 5 percent of people who have diverticulosis ever go on to develop diverticulitis. In general, diverticulitis is poorly understood. Unfortunately, little is known about what leads a person with diverticulosis to develop diverticulitis. Although limited knowledge about what causes diverticulitis makes it difficult to offer solid prevention strategies, there are a few guidelines that may help.

People who are overweight tend to develop diverticulitis more often that people who are at a healthy weight. How can diverticular disease affect you? Symptoms The most common symptoms include lower abdominal pain, bloating increase in abdominal size due to gas , change in bowel habit diarrhoea or constipation and mucus or blood in the stool.

Complications Relatively few patients ever get complications severe enough for them to be admitted to hospital and very few people die of this very common disease. However, in some cases, complications can occur and these include: Inflammation Diverticulitis This is the most common complication, occurring between 1 in 10 to 1 in 4 people with the condition. Blockage of the gut Scar tissue can sometimes form around the inflamed diverticulum.

Perforation Perforation in the diverticulum: sometimes an inflamed pouch diverticulum can burst, breaching the wall of the bowel and leading to peritonitis, a serious condition with widespread inflammation in the whole of the abdomen. Fistulas Rarely, the presence of diverticula may lead to formation of abnormal connections or tracts fistulas between the gut and other organs such as the bladder or vagina.

What treatment is available for diverticular disease? Diet You are advised to eat a healthy, balanced diet including whole grains, fruit and vegetables. Starchy foods Wholemeal, brown or granary bread.

Oat or rye bread. Wholegrain crackers, wholegrain rice and wholegrain pasta. Oats or wholegrain breakfast cereals, muesli, weetabix. Medications There is no specific medical treatment for the general symptoms of diverticular disease although if you have been experiencing constipation , check with your pharmacist or doctor if the use of a bulk-forming laxative might help.

Surgery This is usually only undertaken after an episode of inflammation because an abscess has formed around the colon, or infection from the inflamed perforated diverticulum has spread more widely within the abdomen. What about diverticulitis? There is no evidence that probiotics are helpful in treating episodes of diverticulitis. What to ask your doctor? Are there any issues of potential concern in my colon? Would you refer me to a dietitian for further help with my diet? What monitoring or follow up will I be offered?

How can I be involved in research into diverticular disease? Where can I get more information about treatment? William's Story - Diverticular Disease. What We Do. Support our work by donating today. Our Life-Changing Research. Did you know your guts are 25ft long?! Sign up for more fascinating facts, the latest research developments and much more. Footer - Newsletter Signup. Your first name. Close this module.

Wholemeal, brown or granary bread. All varieties are suitable including fresh, frozen, dried and canned. Puddings containing dried fruit, oat-based crumble toppings, biscuits containing wholegrain flour, nuts, dried fruit and seeds, flapjack, muesli bars and fruit bars based on dates. Some people with diverticular disease may develop serious complications.

For some people, complications may be the first sign of diverticular disease. Diverticular bleeding occurs when a small blood vessel within the wall of a diverticulum pouch bursts. Diverticular bleeding is a common cause of bleeding in the lower digestive tract. The bleeding may be severe and life-threatening. The NIDDK translates and disseminates research findings to increase knowledge and understanding about health and disease among patients, health professionals, and the public.

What is diverticulitis?