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He is one of the best gastroenterology doctors I have ever visited. Took my uncle for stomach pain, the doctor did endoscopy & colonoscopy, diagnosed the problem as large intestine cancer, the doctor asked a...
Uma V
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The doctor is extremely professional and polite. He explains the problem patiently and does not prescribe unnecessary medication. He gives priority to the patient's well-being over everything. I Will definitely recommend him
Chandrasekhar Sriramula
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I have referred/recommended a couple of my relatives and friends to this Dr (Dr. Srujan Kumar Dasyam). I say that the diagnosis and treatment are good and also Dr listens patiently in understanding the patient's...
Apoorva Reddy Panyala
Table Of Contents
- What is Diverticulitis?
- What Causes Diverticulitis?
- What are the Symptoms of Diverticulitis?
- What is the Diagnosis for diverticulitis?
- What are the Complications of diverticulitis?
- What is the Treatment for diverticulitis?
What is Diverticulitis?
Diverticulitis is the inflammation of diverticula. Diverticula are the formation of small bulging pouches along the lining of the digestive system and are found most frequently in the colon.
Diverticula can be found in adults above the age of 40, and they rarely cause any difficulties. But when one or more pouches become inflamed and infected, it can result in severe discomfort.
What Causes Diverticulitis?
Diverticula form through naturally weak areas of the colon. Marble size pouches emerge due to excess pressure in these areas, the most common reason being constipation.
Diverticulitis occurs when these diverticula tear, resulting in infection.
The risk factors are:
- Obesity
- Regularly smoking cigarettes
- Not having enough exercise
- Eating lots of fat but not fibre
- Taking medications like steroids, opioids, and NSAIDS like ibuprofen or naproxen.
What are the Symptoms of Diverticulitis?
The most common signs and symptoms are:
- Pain in the left side of the abdomen that subsides after passing gas or passing a bowel movement
- Blood in stool
- Tenderness in the abdomen
- Fever
- Nausea and vomiting
- Constipation, sometimes, even diarrhoea
- Bloating
What is the Diagnosis for Diverticulitis?
In most cases, diverticulitis is discovered following an acute bout. Because stomach discomfort can be a sign of various issues, the doctor will need to rule out other possibilities.
The doctor will begin by performing a physical examination, including a check for soreness in your abdomen. A pelvic exam is usually performed on women to rule out pelvic illness.
Following that, the following tests are likely to be performed:
- Tests of the blood and urine to look for evidence of infection.
- A pregnancy test is used to rule out pregnancy as a cause of stomach discomfort in women of reproductive age.
- To rule out liver-related causes of stomach discomfort, a liver enzyme test is performed.
- In patients who experience diarrhoea, a stool test is used to rule out infection.
- A CT scan can be done to detect inflamed or diseased tissue.
What are the Complications of Diverticulitis?
- Abscess formation-When pus gets collected in the diverticula.
- Bowel blockage due to scarring.
- Fistula: Creation of an abnormal passage between the intestine and other organs.
- Peritonitis-It is a medical emergency when an inflamed diverticulum spills its contents in the abdominal cavity.
What is the Treatment for Diverticulitis?
The treatment depends upon how severe the condition is
For uncomplicated Diverticulitis
- Antibiotics to treat the infection.
- A liquid diet
For complicated diverticulitis
- Administration of intravenous antibiotics,
- Drainage of abdominal abscess
Surgery
- Removal of the diseased part of the intestine.
- Colostomy
