What are the symptoms of colorectal diverticulitis? What department do I need to see for treatment?

 

a woman with a stomachache

Colorectal diverticulitis is characterized by stomach pain, and if it gets worse, there may be a hole in the intestine. It is an important disease to find and treat symptoms quickly before they worsen. If you have any symptoms that you are concerned about, see an internal medicine or gastroenterology department and get a detailed examination. This time, we will explain what kind of disease colon diverticulitis is, symptoms, causes, and examination subjects.

What is colorectal diverticulitis?

What kind of disease is colorectal diverticulitis?

Colorectal diverticulitis is a condition in which bacteria multiply in a part of the intestine called the colon diverticulum, causing inflammation. Inflammation causes symptoms such as fever in addition to abdominal pain. The condition of bleeding from the colon diverticulum due to worsening inflammation is called "colorectal diverticulum bleeding," which requires treatment.

What's the function of the large intestine?

The large intestine is the digestive system that leads to the small intestine. It absorbs moisture or sodium from food that has been digested and absorbed in the small intestine and makes feces and discharges them out of the body. It is known that it takes 24 to 72 hours for food to enter the mouth and be discharged into the feces.

What is a colon diverticulum?

What is the state of the bowel in the colon diverticulum? As part of the colon wall weakens, a "concave" is formed toward the outside of the intestine and protrudes into a pouch shape. If you check it with an endoscope, you can see a honeycomb-like indentation. Many people have this colorectal diverticulum, and it is found in more than half of the elderly. The presence of colorectal diverticulum itself is asymptomatic, so you don't usually have to worry. The large intestine is divided into ascending colon, descending colon, transverse colon, S company colon, and rectum according to shape. Among them, colorectal diverticulum is characterized by its tendency to occur in the ascending and S-phase colon.

symptoms of colorectal diverticulitis

What are the symptoms of colorectal diverticulitis? Most people have no symptoms of colorectal diverticulitis. However, symptoms such as fever, abdominal pain, and lower blood flow occur inside. Fever, abdominal pain, and lower blood pressure are called colorectal diverticulopathy. If inflammation occurs in the colon diverticulum of the ascending colon, it hurts near the right lower abdomen, and if inflammation occurs in the colon diverticulum of the S company colon in the descending colon, it hurts near the left lower abdomen.

Causes of colorectal diverticulitis

Please tell me the cause of colorectal diverticulitis. Since the colon diverticulum has a structure that protrudes outward, the stool is easy to accumulate. The reason is that if feces are accumulated in the colon diverticulum, bacteria become easier to reproduce and inflammation occurs.

The reason for the increase in colorectal diverticulitis in the descending colon is mainly due to increased internal pressure of the colon and weakening of the intestinal wall due to aging. In addition, I think it is related to constitution, heredity, race, and living environment.

The risk factors for colorectal diverticulitis are mainly below.

  • visceral fat type obesity
  • an abuse of painkillers
  • the use of immunosuppressants
  • constipation

However, preventing these risk factors does not mean that they do not develop. It is thought that there is a high possibility of colorectal diverticulitis.

an increase in the internal pressure of the colon

Why does the internal pressure of the colon rise? The reason is that modern people's diet is becoming westernized and their main meat diet is increasing, resulting in a shortage of vegetables. As a result, dietary fiber intake is decreasing, constipation, intestinal contraction, and an increase in the front of the large intestine are likely to occur.

Vulnerability in Barriers Due to Aging

Does age matter? Regardless of the large intestine, all organs in the body gradually deteriorate with age.

Likewise, the colon's function decreases with age, so it is easy to get hurt due to slow response or weakness. That's why it's easier to cause colorectal diverticulitis as you get older.

subjects for examination of colorectal divertic examination

If you suspect colorectal diverticulitis, which department should you see? If you have symptoms such as stomach pain or fever, let's see the internal medicine first. Also, if you have lower blood, please go to the gastroenterology department, surgery, or gastroenterology department as soon as possible.

examination for colorectal diverticulitis

What kind of test is performed for colorectal diverticulitis? Colorectal diverticulitis can be diagnosed to some extent by checking symptoms or abdomen through interviews or palpations. The examinations are mainly as follows:

  • a medical examination
  • a temperature check
  • blood pressure measurement
  • an abdominal examination
  • a blood test
  • an abdominal CT scan

Abdominal examination checks the area where colorectal diverticulitis is occurring and the severity. Blood tests show how much inflammation is occurring. If you have symptoms such as severe abdominal pain or high fever along with the blood test results, treatment by hospitalization is necessary. In addition, check for diseases such as ischemic enteritis and colorectal cancer appendicitis.

Is there a gender difference and age difference for colorectal diverticulitis?

Colorectal diverticulitis occurs at any age. Until now, it has been a disease that is less likely to occur in young people and more likely to occur in the elderly, but recently, the number of diseases in women and young people has been pointed out. Men's and women's cars have always been common for men, and the ratio was 2-3:1. But now, the ratio of men and women is almost 1.5:1, which is almost the same.

a cure for colorectal diverticulitis

What are the treatment methods for colorectal diverticulitis? Even if colorectal diverticulitis occurs, if it is always mild, follow-up is done with diet management and antibiotic underwear. However, care should be taken not to worsen the symptoms because if you cause colorectal diverticulitis, the intestines may narrow, cause adhesion, or puncture. If you have a high fever, severe inflammation, or pain by stimulating the peritoneum, you need to be hospitalized for fasting and antibiotic IV. The hospitalization period is about 1 week to 10 days, and if you need surgery due to a hole or tumor, you may need to be hospitalized for a period of 2 weeks to 1 month. In addition, surgery such as endoscopic treatment or vascular embolization may be performed in the event of a tumor or a hole. If the diverticulum is torn and you are experiencing severe peritonitis, you can temporarily create an artificial anus.

food or habits to refrain from

Is there anything to watch out for in food or habits? As the Western style becomes more common, colon diverticulum is also on the rise for young people. Watch out for excessive intake of animal protein or fat. Also, eating fiber is important, so let's pay attention to a balanced diet with a lot of vegetables. If you already have a colon diverticulum, it is also important to eat a circle under the direction of your doctor to avoid constipation. In addition, it is also important to avoid binge eating, stress, and excessive fatigue that burden the intestines. If you have been pointed out for colorectal diverticulum, be careful of your daily lifestyle disorder and seek medical treatment as soon as possible if symptoms appear.

arrangement

Colorectal diverticulitis is characterized by stomach pain, and if it gets worse, there may be holes in the intestine or bleeding. The colorectal diverticulum itself is asymptomatic and anyone can do it. However, when the stool is blocked and bacteria multiply, inflammation occurs and it is accompanied by pain or fever. You can check your condition through follow-up and hospitalization may be necessary, so if you have any symptoms you are concerned about, let's go to a medical institution and get a detailed examination.

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