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Diverticular Disease of the ColonWhat Is Diverticular Disease?“Diverticulum” is latin for a blind alley or cave. Diverticular disease of the colon is a condition where the lining of the colon bulges through defects in its muscle wall, creating multiple pouches, or “diverticula”. Diverticular disease also affects the smooth muscle in the colonic wall, which becomes thickened and scarred. In the past diverticular disease was sometimes referred to as “diverticulosis”. Within the colon diverticula are most commonly found on the left hand side, just above the rectum. Since these pouches seldom cause any problems most people will never know whether they have them or not. What Is Diverticulitis?Occasionally a diverticulum becomes inflamed, resulting in “diverticulitis”, which means “inflammation of a diverticulum”. Diverticulitis can cause constant pain, usually in the lower abdomen, with a change in bowel habit (constipation, diarrhoea, mucus, or bleeding), and fever. Rarely a diverticulum will burst, allowing faecal material to escape from the colon. This can cause anything from a small abscess to life-threatening peritonitis (infection in the abdomen). Sometimes one of these abscesses will break through into an adjacent structure, such as bladder, vagina, or another part of the bowel. This causes a channel between the colon and the adjacent structure, which is known as a fistula. Is Diverticular Disease Common?Diverticular disease is very common in Western countries and it affects nearly half of New Zealanders over the age of 60. It is more common with advancing age, being rare before the age of 30. Individuals who get diverticular disease young tend to have more aggressive disease with more severe symptoms. Only 15-20% of people with diverticular disease ever develop diverticulitis. What Causes Diverticular Disease?Diverticula form when strong but poorly co-ordinated contractions of the colon produce high pressure within the bowel. This pressure forces the lining out through weak points in the muscle wall of the colon, usually at the site where a blood vessel comes through. It is not known why the contractions are so intense or poorly co-ordinated, nor why the muscle becomes thickened. It is suspected that it may be due to toxins produced by bacteria digesting certain foods. Individuals with a life-long diet high in animal fats and low in fibre have a higher incidence of diverticular disease. Does Diverticular Disease Go Away?Once diverticula have formed they are permanent. Is Diverticular Disease Associated With Cancer?No. There is no link between diverticular disease and cancer. However, since diverticular disease and bowel cancer may cause similar symptoms it is important to establish the correct diagnosis by examination of the colon by colonoscopy or CT colonography. What Are The Symptoms Of Diverticular Disease?Most individuals with diverticular disease have no symptoms. Symptoms associated with diverticular disease include:
The same symptoms can occur with colon cancer. Diverticular disease can mimic colon cancer, so you should not assume you have diverticular disease unless it is confirmed by colonoscopy or barium enema and colon cancer is ruled out. How Do I Know If I Have Diverticular Disease?Diverticular disease is diagnosed by colonoscopy, CT colonography or barium enema. Colonoscopy is an examination of the inside of the colon with a tiny video camera. CT colonography uses computer analysis of X rays to create a three dimensional picture of the colon, and Barium enema is an X ray where barium and air are pumped into the colon while X rays are taken to show the barium coating the lining of the colon. Diverticulitis is diagnosed by a clinical history and physical examination by your doctor, with a blood test to look for evidence of infection. A CT scan or colonoscopy may be performed to see the inflamed pouches. What Are The Complications Of Diverticulitis?The most severe complication of diverticulitis occurs when an infected pouch ruptures, leaking faeces into the abdomen, and producing serious abdominal infection (peritonitis). This is a surgical emergency. Other complications of diverticulitis include blockage of the colon, the formation of an abscess, or the development of a fistula. A fistula is an abnormal passageway that connects that part of the inflamed bowel to bladder, vagina, skin or another part of bowel. How Is Diverticular Disease Treated?Symptoms mild or absentIndividuals with mild symptoms from diverticular disease need not have any specific treatment. Mild symptoms may ease with careful attention to adequate fibre (at least 20grams a day) and fluid (at least 2 litres a day) in the diet. Symptoms mild to moderateMore severe bloating and colicky pain can be aggravated by a high fibre diet, and for these people, a low residue diet can help. Medications are not universally effective, but antidiarrhoeal and antispasmodic drugs including Loperamide, Lomotil, Buscopan, Merbentyl, and Mebeverine, sometimes help. DiverticulitisAcute diverticulitis usually settles with rest and antibiotics. When symptoms are severe, admission to hospital may be necessary to give you intravenous fluids and high dose antibiotics. If symptoms are severe or do not settle within a few days, a CT scan may identify an abscess which should be drained. Dietary measures, including avoiding dietary fibre, seeds and nuts can help during an acute attack. Perforation with peritonitisThis is a surgical emergency, and urgent operation is usually indicated to remove the perforated section of colon. Recurring diverticulitis or chronic incapacitating symptomsSurgical removal of the affected portion of colon is often the best long-term solution. What Can Be Done To Prevent Diverticulitis?
Tell Me More About Surgery For Diverticular Disease.Surgical treatment for diverticular disease is the last resort, reserved for the following situations where medical treatment is inappropriate or has failed:
The first objective of any operation for diverticular disease is to remove the affected section of colon. Except in the presence of severe infection, the colon can be joined back together again. However, if there is peritonitis, it may be necessary to create a temporary colostomy (colon empties into a bag on the tummy wall) to reduce the risk of further infection. What Specialist Should I See About Diverticular Disease?You should see a Colorectal Surgeon. A Colorectal Surgeon is a specialist surgeon who has undergone at least two years training in colorectal surgery after completing general surgery training. You can find a Colorectal Surgeon close to you at www.cssanz.org. Can Diverticular Disease Be Treated By Keyhole Surgery?Yes. The Colorectal Surgeons at Oxford Clinic perform most operations to remove diverticular diseased colon by laparoscopic (keyhole) surgery. Our surgeon is known internationally for their considerable experience with this technique. Laparoscopic surgery can result in a shorter hospital stay and more rapid return to activity than conventional open surgery. However, laparoscopic surgery is not always appropriate or possible. Your surgeon will be able to advise you when laparoscopic colon resection can be considered, and when it is better to use conventional open surgery to remove the colon. SummaryDiverticular disease is the name given to the presence of small bulging pouches and thickened muscle in the colon. The major risk factors for their development include, increasing age and a diet lacking in fibre. It usually causes no symptoms, and most people are never aware that they have the condition. Sometimes the pouches (diverticula) can be become inflamed (diverticulitis); this results in abdominal pain that may be severe. Mild cases of diverticulitis are treated with a low fibre diet and oral antibiotics but more severe cases may require hospital admission for intravenous fluids and antibiotics, or operation. The most serious complication of diverticulitis occurs when a pouch leaks, to allow the entry of stool from within the bowel into the abdominal cavity. Often an operation is needed to control the leakage. Keyhole surgery is usually the best option to remove a portion of colon causing repeated problems with diverticular disease. Finally, remember that here are a number of simple measures that you can take to prevent diverticular disease. These include: eat plenty of fibre, drink plenty of water, respond to bowel urges and exercise regularly. More Questions? Need Advice?Contact your General Practitioner and ask whether you should have a referral to the Colorectal Surgeon at Oxford Clinic. Relevant Links
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