Diverticulitis is an uncomfortable condition that occurs when pouches in your colon lining become irritated and inflamed. While it is common to develop the pouches themselves, it is possible to avoid the inflammation.
But how can you spot the warning signs of diverticulitis, and how can you avoid it?
Boca Care Surgical Associates suggests a number of treatment options for diverticulitis, up to minimally invasive surgery, should it be necessary. Our provider, Avraham Belizon, MD, FACS, FASCRS, will help you choose the best treatment plan for your specific situation.
Many people believe they have diverticulitis when they really just have diverticulosis. Diverticulosis (which is the name for when the pouches in your colon originally formulate) is incredibly common and becomes more so as you age. But only about 5% of those afflicted with diverticulosis develop diverticulitis.
Diverticulosis usually has no symptoms. This is why some people don’t notice the problem until the pouches become inflamed. If this occurs, the problem can be easier to spot, but it’s better to avoid this more severe condition.
The best ways to avoid diverticulosis are to exercise often, introduce fiber into your diet, stay hydrated, and avoid smoking. Still, if you already have developed diverticulosis, how can you spot the warning signs of inflammation?
Mild abdominal pain is usually the most common indicator of diverticulitis. The pain will often persist for several days and appears on the lower, left-hand side of the abdomen. We can use a CT scan to determine if your pain is related to diverticulitis.
Inflammation causes a slight spike in temperature, so you’ll notice a fever if you develop diverticulitis. Fever coupled with pain in the left-hand side of the abdomen usually points to diverticulitis, especially if you’ve already been diagnosed with diverticulosis.
Queasiness often goes hand-in-hand with this diagnosis, and sometimes, it can be so severe, it causes vomiting. If you notice nausea coupled with abdominal pain, it can be a good indicator of diverticulitis.
Constipation is usually more common than diarrhea with diverticulitis, although both can potentially occur. The inflammation causes stomach and colon upsets, which will make it uncomfortable to eat and to have bowel movements.
It’s best to seek treatment as early as possible for diverticulitis. You’ll want to treat the issue before the pouches begin to bleed. In many cases, antibiotics, pain medication, and switching to a high-fiber diet can help immensely with mild diverticulitis.
If, however, you’re dealing with more severe symptoms, surgery that involves removing the inflamed sacs might be necessary. Dr. Belizon uses small incisions to keep the surgery less invasive and to shorten the recovery timeline.
Don’t wait to find out, especially if you’re already experiencing symptoms. Visit our Boca Raton, Florida office for an appointment. You can book online, or call us at 561-395-2626.
