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Diverticulosis

. This may happen when the stool is hard. Then, pushing during a bowel movement raises the pressure in the bowel. The pressure can cause pouches or bulges to form. Most often, they do not cause a problem unless they become infected. This is called diverticulitis. When both bleeding and an infection happen, this is diverticular disease. ‚  

What are the causes?


The reason why these pouches form in the large bowel wall is not clear. It may be that pressure builds up when food moves too slowly through the bowel. With a diet high in fiber, stool moves more quickly through the large bowel. Fiber is found in whole grains, vegetables, and fruit. With a low-fiber diet, stool moves slower and causes you to push harder when you have a bowel movement. The pushing adds more pressure in the bowel which may cause bulges or pouches to form. ‚  

What can make this more likely to happen?


  • A low-fiber diet
  • A diet high in meat or protein
  • Many hard stools ¢ ˆ ’ Less bowel movements than normal
  • Age 40 years or older
  • Lack of exercise

What are the main signs?


Most people with diverticulosis do not have signs. Your doctor may find this condition when you have a colonoscopy. When the diverticula or pouches become swollen or infected, then it is called diverticulitis. Most people with diverticulosis will not have problems with infection in the small pouches. ‚  

How does the doctor diagnose this health problem?


Your doctor will take your history. Your doctor may ask about your bowel movements, belly pain, diet, and drugs you are taking. The doctor may press on your belly to see if you have any pain, especially on the left side. The doctor will listen to your bowel sounds and may do a rectal exam. ‚  
Most people who have diverticulosis do not have any signs. This problem is often found when doing tests to see if there is some other health problem. Patients who have signs of diverticular disease, like lower GI bleeding, belly pain, or fever, may need more testing. ‚  
The doctor will do an exam and may order: ‚  
  • Stool test
  • Blood tests
  • CT scan
  • Colonoscopy

How does the doctor treat this health problem?


Most often, people with diverticulosis will not need any treatment. Your doctor may suggest you add more fiber to your diet. This will help add to the amount of stool you form. It may also keep you from forming new diverticula. ‚  

Are there other health problems to treat?


Other health problems, such as irritable bowel syndrome or IBS, can have these same signs. So can ulcers. Diverticulitis can also seem like appendicitis. Both can have signs of fever and belly pain. The pain is often found on the left side with diverticulitis while pain for appendicitis is on the right side. Talk with your doctor if you keep having any of the above signs. ‚  

What drugs may be needed?


Most often with diverticulosis you will not need to take any drugs. ‚  

What problems could happen?


You may develop diverticulitis, which may cause: ‚  
  • Pockets or pouches in your bowel may be infected or filled with pus.
  • Hole or tear in your bowel
  • Part of your bowel to become narrow
  • You to need surgery

What can be done to prevent this health problem?


The best way to keep from having diverticulosis is to keep your bowel movements soft and normal. To keep more pouches from forming: ‚  
  • Eat more whole grains, vegetables, and fruits.
  • Drink 8 to 10 glasses of water each day.
  • Work out often.
  • Talk with your doctor about adding an over-the-counter (OTC) fiber product to keep your stools soft.
  • Overuse of some pain drugs can cause hard stools. Talk with your doctor about this.

Where can I learn more?


American College of Gastroenterology ‚  
http://patients.gi.org/topics/diverticulosis-and-diverticulitis/ ‚  
FamilyDoctor.org ‚  
http://familydoctor.org/familydoctor/en/diseases-conditions/diverticular-disease.html ‚  
National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse ‚  
http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/diverticulosis/index.aspx ‚  
National Organization for Rare Disorders ‚  
http://www.rarediseases.org/rare-disease-information/rare-diseases/byID/464/viewAbstract ‚  

Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer


This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚  

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