DIVERTICULITIS:

Definition: Diverticulitis is
an inflammation of a small pouchs in the colon that
were formed from internal pressure on the colon
usually around blood vessels.  As pressure occurs
in the colon, areas of lesser strength are pushed out,
thus the areas with less muscle are the incoming
vessel areas and little pouches form through time
and are called Diverticuli.

Because these are small sac like pouches with little
muscle and little peristaltic movement, digested
material and non-digested material can get caught
inside of these sacs.  In some cases, this material
causes a nidus of inflammation and or infection,
then it changes from diverticula to diverticulitis.

Symptoms can include pain, fever, constipation, diarrhea,
bloody stools, and perforation with resulting sepsis and
death.

THERAPY: Surgeons commonly admit all patients with diverticulitis
because of the resultant perforations and sepsis.  However, it
is getting more common now to treat mild or just starting
cases of diverticulitis with outpatient antibiotic therapy.
But, it must be remembered, that diverticulitis can easily
get out of hand, thus one must be on top of this potentially
severe and potentially life threatening infection.

Antibiotics and clear liquid diets to clean the colon
are very important.  

To prevent diverticulitis, persons with diverticuli
should have diets high in fiber.

IF PROBLEMS: Problems such as pain and fever should not
be overlooked, contact your physician right away.