Complications From Diverticulitis

Complications From Diverticulitis

Diverticulitis is an inflammation and infection of diverticula, which are pouches found in the colon wall. Complications such as perforations or tears, blockages, bleeding, peritonitis and abscesses can occur even with treatment. If any of these complications should happen, immediate treatment must be started to prevent the complications from getting worse and possibly end up in a life-threatening situation.

Bleeding from diverticula can be mild or it can be severe causing the individual to go into shock. Blood may be noticed in the toilet or in the stool. Mild bleeding usually stops by itself without treatment. Severe bleeding will require treatment and possibly surgery.

If diverticulitis symptoms do not clear up after a few days of antibiotics, surgery may be necessary, especially if an abscess has occurred. An abscess even a small one can swell and destroy tissue. A small abscess can clear up with antibiotics alone, but most abscesses require surgical intervention, especially if they are large.

Infection from diverticula that spreads into the abdominal cavity is called peritonitis. This can be a life-threatening condition. The abdominal cavity must be cleaned and any damaged parts of the colon must be removed. A person with peritonitis, who does not receive surgical help, will die.

Sometimes scarring from infection can cause partial or total blockage of the large intestine in which, the stool cannot move out of the intestine and into the rectum. If the obstruction totally blocks the intestine, surgery is the only option and is an emergency situation. Partial blockage still requires surgery but partial blockage is not an emergency situation and can be scheduled.

It is important that someone with diverticulitis be made aware of what complications could occur so that they are aware of what to watch for, the signs that they may notice that may signal that a complication is occurring. Any time symptoms worsen with an individual with diverticulitis; immediate medical attention must be sought. Complications that do not receive immediate medical attention can easily become life threatening. An individual with diverticulitis must be monitored carefully until complete healing has occurred. This requires medical follow-up during treatment and after treatment has been completed as recurrences of diverticulitis can happen.

It is critical that the individual with diverticulitis be informed about the disease so that they can be an active participant in the treatment process. They must be truthful with the doctor regarding duration of symptoms and severity of symptoms. They must report all symptoms to the doctor so an accurate medical assessment can be made and the correct tests are ordered.

When dealing with complications from diverticulitis it is important for the patient to have as much family or other support as is possible. Going through complications from any illness can be scary and family and friends can be reassuring and assist the individual to get proper care, and rest so that the body can heal.

News About Diverticulitis

Sidelined no more (Honolulu Star-Bulletin) 10 Mar 2010 at 3:39am
Colin Nishida, chef-owner at the popular Side Street Inn, survived a life-threatening medical battle last year that left him unconscious in the hospital for two months. Now he has five bellybuttons.

Rochester writers (Rochester Democrat and Chronicle) 7 Mar 2010 at 2:12am
Bruce Bennett writes a novel that joins people from many cultures; RIT graduate David S. Kidder contributes to a book on health.

Have Your Steak and Eat It, Too (The Cornell Daily Sun) 4 Mar 2010 at 9:17pm
Sometimes I try to be a public servant. And no ? that was not a typo ? there was meant to be an ?l? in ?public.? Therefore as my duty to my gender and all that is hol(e)y, I must inform, promote and encourage others to observe the most under-appreciated, under-celebrated (and hopefully not undercooked), holiday of the year.

Expert gives talk to seniors on healthy eating (Wilton Bulletin) 3 Mar 2010 at 9:08pm
March is National Nutrition Month and on Wednesday, March 10, at Ogden House, Elaine Abrams will remind us that good diet habits are particularly important for older adults. Why? Because diet plays a vital role in disease prevention and management as we age.

Top 5 Ways to Get More Fiber (ABC News) 1 Mar 2010 at 7:11am
Dr. Marie Savard on how to improve your health by increasing your fiber intake. Business - Fiber - Textiles and Nonwovens - Telecommunications - Equipment

Doc says, eat your fibre (North Island MidWeek) 1 Mar 2010 at 1:08pm
By Paul G. Donohue, M.D.

Bulletin Board: March 1, 2010 (The Saratogian) 1 Mar 2010 at 2:17am
Auxiliary to meet tonight

Mailbag: Where does Cain stand? (Yahoo! Sports via Yahoo! Sports) 23 Feb 2010 at 11:02am
Fans are buzzing about Cain Velasquez's stunning knockout of Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira.

Cain do: Velasquez vaults to the top (Yahoo! Sports via Yahoo! Sports) 21 Feb 2010 at 1:02am
Cain Velasquez's win topped off a memorable evening in the UFC's Australian debut.

Cain Velasquez knocks out Nogueira (Canada.com) 22 Feb 2010 at 7:17am
If there was anyone who didn't believe Ultimate Fighting Championship heavyweight star Cain Velasquez was the real deal before UFC 110 on Saturday night, those doubts have certainly been erased.

Diverticulitis Books & Resources

The New Eating Right for a Bad Gut : The Complete Nutritional Guide to Ileiti...

The New Eating Right for a Bad Gut : The Complete Nutritional Guide to Ileitis, Colitis, Crohn's Disease, and Inflammatory Bowel Disease (Paperback)
By James Scala

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First tagged "diverticulitis" by Irish Lady "Stargazer"

Diverticulitis: Safe Alternatives Without Drugs Thorsons Natural Health

Diverticulitis: Safe Alternatives Without Drugs Thorsons Natural Health (The Self Help Series) (Paperback)
By Arthur White

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