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McKesson Clinical Reference Systems: Women's Health Advisor 2002.2
Spanish version
Illustration
Diverticulosis
What is diverticulosis?
Diverticulosis is the presence of weak areas or pouches in
the wall of the large intestine. The pouches are usually
in the part of the intestine called the colon. The pouches,
called diverticula, look somewhat like small thumbs poking
out of the side of the colon.
Diverticulosis is a common condition. More than half of all
elderly people in the U.S. have it.
How does it occur?
Diverticula seem to occur when the pressure inside the colon
is too high. There are several ways this pressure may
become high.
The main cause of high pressure appears to be too little
fiber in the diet. Fiber helps keep digested food bulky and
soft as it passes through the colon. This makes it easier
for the food to move through the intestine without too much
pressure.
Sometimes the muscles of the large intestine do not work
correctly. As digested food moves through the colon, muscle
spasms may occur in the colon, causing increased pressure.
People who have irritable bowel syndrome (also called
spastic colon) appear to have a higher risk of developing
diverticulosis because of problems with muscle spasms.
What are the symptoms?
Many people who have diverticulosis do not have any
symptoms. If they do have symptoms, abdominal pain is the
most common one. The pain is usually in the lower left
abdomen. You may feel the pain most of the time, or it may
come and go. You may also have more bowel gas or
constipation.
Diverticulosis can also cause painless bleeding from the
rectum. Bleeding is less common than other symptoms.
When inflammation or infection occurs in or around the
pouches, it is called diverticulitis. If you have fever as
well as abdominal pain, you may have developed
diverticulitis. You should see your health care provider if
this happens.
How is it diagnosed?
Diverticula are best seen with a special intestinal x-ray
called a barium enema. In fact, diverticulosis may be
discovered when you have this test for some other medical
problem. Barium is put into your rectum and colon. The
barium then shows the outline of the large intestine on the
x-ray.
Flexible sigmoidoscopy is another procedure that can find
diverticula. The doctor inserts a scope into your rectum.
The scope is a thin, flexible, lighted tube. The doctor can
then look inside your large intestine.
How is it treated?
Most importantly, you need to have more fiber in your diet.
You can do this by eating more whole-grain products, such as
whole-wheat and bran breads, cereals, and muffins. Also eat
more fruits and vegetables. In addition, high-fiber dietary
supplements may be helpful.
Avoid eating foods that may get stuck in diverticula, such
as popcorn, raisins, whole-kernel corn, and peanuts.
If muscle spasms in the colon are a problem, your health
care provider may prescribe medication to stop the spasms.
If you have diverticulosis, you should always watch for
symptoms of diverticulitis. See your health care provider
right away if you have fever and abdominal pain.
How long will the effects last?
The pouches in the wall of the colon are permanent.
Symptoms caused by these pouches may come and go. When you
do have symptoms, they may last a few days or longer. Often
symptoms can be prevented by having a healthy diet and
enough physical activity.
How can I avoid developing diverticulosis?
The best way to try to avoid diverticulosis is to do the
things that help you have bowel movements that are soft and
easy to pass:
- Eat a healthy diet with lots of fiber.
- Drink a lot of fluids.
- Get enough regular exercise.
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