Abdominal pain in the left lower region of the abdomen may be an indication of diverticulitus. The condition of having out-pouchings through weak spots in the lining of the large intestine (colon) is diverticulosis. Should the pouches or diverticula become inflamed or infected, this is diverticular disease of the colon or diverticulitis.
Diseased diverticula can cause cramping or severe lower abdominal pain or even bleeding from the rectum. Bleeding from the rectum must be referred to a healthcare professional because it may be caused by complications or be indicative of serious bowel disease.
Diagnosis of Diverticulitis
The doctor will take a medical history and a physical examination before more diagnostic tests. Often diverticulosis is discovered during a colonoscopy screening for polyps or cancer or to discover the source of pain or bleeding from the rectum. A digital rectal exam by a physician will detect any tenderness, blood or blockage. Stool samples can be taken for signs of bleeding or infection.
Should diverticulitis be suspected, an ultrasound picture (a sonogram) can be taken to determine the location of the inflamed diverticula. A computerized tomography scan (CT) x-ray produces a cross-section image of the body with the help of a dye injection and an ingested mixture to pinpoint any complications such as perforations or abscesses of the diverticula.
Treatment of Diverticulitis
Should infection and pain be present with the onset of a diverticulitis attack, pain relievers can be administered, although some pain relievers are constipating – this can be remedied with stool softeners. Infection can be dealt with by administering a suitable antibiotic. Occasionally surgery is required for removal of intestinal blockage or to drain an abscess.
It used to be that people diagnosed with diverticulitis were advised to avoid seeds such as sunflower seeds, sesame seeds, poppy seeds, caraway seeds, nuts and popcorn, also tiny seeds found in tomatoes, cucumbers, and berries such as strawberries, blackberries and raspberries. More recently, however, since no scientific data support avoidance of these foods – the popular thought of the day having been that these small, indigestible particles might enter, irritate or even block the diverticula, are now believed to be harmless.
Prevention of Diverticulitis
Rather, a high-fibre diet is emphasized in all medical literature. The fibre found in whole grains, fruit and vegetables that is indigestible and prevents constipation naturally by keeping the stool soft and easy to pass, is the best preventative. Both soluble fibre that dissolves in water to form a soft jelly in the intestines and also insoluble fibre that passes unchanged through the intestines, aid in prevention of straining to pass hard stool. Fibre helps to prevent bulges through weak spots in the intestinal wall (diverticula).
Best bets for high fibre diet are foods such as whole grain cereals (both cold and hot), whole grain breads, beans (dried and soaked or fresh), apples, pears and plums with their skins intact, berries, stewed prunes, squash, sweet potato and potatoes with skin, spinach, cauliflower and mixed cooked vegetables.
Good mobility of intestinal contents and regular soft bowel movements will certainly help to prevent constipation and the likelihood of developing diverticulosis – a disease that has become more prevalent with the consumption of refined and processed foods in industrialized countries. A natural diet of fresh foods and unrefined carbohydrates seems best to prevent many intestinal woes.
References:
www.acg.gi.org, American College of Gastroenterologists, Diverticular Disease of the Colon, Accessed August 9, 2010
http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/diverticulosis/index.htm, National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse, A service of the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, Diverticulosis and Diverticulitis, Accessed August 9, 2010
MedicineNet.com, Diverticulitis (Diverticulosis), Accessed August 9, 2010
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