Diverticulitis Research Paper

Diverticulitis is the inflammation of the small pouches that often line the digestive tract called diverticula. Diverticula are commonly seen in the intestine and colon where naturally weaken tissue gives way under pressure causing the pouches to protrude. The cause is unknown, but low-fiber diets and tearing accompanied by an infection usually promotes flare-ups.
Aging, obesity, smoking, high fat and low fiber diets, a sedentary lifestyle. Certain medications have been known to increase the risk of diverticulitis. These include steroids, opiates, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen and naproxen.
Symptoms include:
• Abdominal pain in the lower left side is the most commonly reported symptom,
• gas and bloating,
• nausea,
• diarrhea or constipation,
• fever and chills,
• bloody stool and elevated white blood cell count. Diverticulitis is usually diagnosed during an acute attack, but because abdominal pain can be indicative of many problems, a physical examination checking for abdominal tenderness, as well as a CT scan is needed to rule out other causes of discomfort. Women will also undergo a pelvic examination to rule out a disease.
Treatments includes:
• Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs known as NSAIDs for the pain,
• a liquid diet that reintroduces fiber slowly,
• a reduction in red meat and fat consumption,
• regular exercise with adequate hydration,
• and eliminating foods that are known to cause you discomfort.
Track this by keeping a food diary.
• Severe cases may require a surgical procedure called colectomy to remove the affected portion of the intestine.
Preventative care includes maintaining a healthy lifestyle which includes regular exercise and a low-fat, high-fiber diet accompanied by plenty of water. Also, avoiding foods that trigger flare-ups and foods that tend to get caught in the diverticula such as peanuts, seeds, popcorn and berries.
Prognosis
Overall the prognosis is good once the patient makes the necessary alterations to his or her lifestyle, but complications do present in around 25% of acute diverticulitis cases. Abscess, colon or small intestine blockage which is caused by scarring, fistulas between sections of bowel or the bowel and bladder, and peritonitis that occurs if the infected or inflamed pouch ruptures, spilling intestinal contents into your abdominal cavity. Peritonitis is a medical emergency and requires immediate
care.