Many physicians over the years have had to answer the question, “What is Diverticulitis?” due to the growing number of cases. This inflammatory disease is actually quite common. But many people do not realize that they are experiencing symptoms of a disease. Instead, they pass it off as a stomachache or indigestion.
While there is a distinct medical definition of the disease, in laymen’s terms, it is a disorder of the large intestine. Little pouches in the intestine form and can become infected, irritated, swollen, or inflamed. There is not one exact cause of this disease. Hard stool and frequent constipation are factors that can cause it. Also defects in the formation of the large intestine and food sensitivities are other causes.
There are many indications that a person may have diverticulitis. It is a painful ordeal, with most of the pain being experienced in the lower left side of the abdomen. The pain and symptoms are so severe that rarely do they go unnoticed.
Without treatment, this is a very dangerous disease to have. When the pouches start to get tender and raw, the intestinal lining thinner. This often causes the large intestine to rupture which allows bacteria to be released into the lining of the abdominal cavity. This can be fatal if an infection is formed.
One other problem that can happen when a person has a flare up is that the lower colon starts to swell. Swelling causes the lower gastrointestinal tract to become clogged up with gas and fecal matter. If this happens, it can be deadly and needs to be treated right away.
Most individuals do not have the flare ups often. When they occur frequently than normal, surgery to repair the intestine is usually required. However, there are ways to avoid these flare ups. When discussing “What is Diverticulitis?” with their patients, most doctors will advise them to add more fiber rich foods to their diet and completely eliminate junk and fried foods. By doing so, the disease is kept under control.
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