Acute diverticulitis: how to identify, treat and possible complications

Acute diverticulitis is the inflammation and infection of the diverticula, which are small folds or sacs that appear on the walls of the intestine, especially in the last portion of the colon.

These diverticula usually appear in adults over 40 years of age and do not cause symptoms, and this condition is called diverticulosis. It is also more common in people who are on a low fiber diet or who suffer from chronic constipation. Find out what are the causes and symptoms of diverticulosis.

However, when diverticula become inflamed, symptoms such as pain in the abdomen, especially on the lower left side, nausea, vomiting, fever, constipation or diarrhea, may arise, and in these cases, you should immediately go to the emergency room for treatment. and avoid complications such as perforation of the intestine and infection of the organism, which can be life-threatening.

How to know if it is diverticulitis

Symptoms that can alert you to an acute attack of diverticulitis include:

Abdominal pain, especially in the lower left side, which can be constant and persist for several days; Diarrhea or constipation periods; Sensitivity in the left side of the abdomen; Nausea and vomiting; Fever and chills.

The intensity of the symptoms varies according to the severity of the inflammation, which, if mild, can go unnoticed. However, in the presence of these symptoms it is important to go to the emergency room, where the doctor will assess the symptoms and, if necessary, perform ultrasound or tomography examinations of the abdomen, and blood tests that detect inflammation and infection in the intestine.

How to treat

Treatment for diverticulitis is guided by a gastroenterologist or general practitioner, and is done with:

Use of antibiotics, such as Ciprofloxacino and Metronidazole, to control the infection, for about 10 days; Use of painkillers, such as Paracetamol or anti-inflammatory drugs, such as Ibuprofen, for example, to relieve abdominal discomfort; Caring for the diet, which in the first 3 days, should be fasting or liquid, and only then gradually add solid foods, so as not to increase the pressure inside the intestine. Know what you can and cannot eat during your diverticulitis crisis.

As the inflammation of the diverticula and the symptoms subside, the patient should introduce fiber-rich foods in their daily meals, such as fresh fruits and vegetables or whole grains, for example, in order to prevent the diverticula from inflaming again.

When the person is able to follow the guidelines well and when the condition is mild, this treatment can be done at home, however, in the case of complicated acute diverticulitis, it is important to be hospitalized to perform medications in the vein and evaluate the possibility of surgery.

For surgical treatment of inflammation, a puncture can be performed to drain the pus or surgery to remove the damaged part of the intestine. See more details on treatment and surgery options for diverticulitis.

How to avoid

To prevent the formation of diverticula in the large intestine, or to prevent new attacks of diverticulitis, it is important to have a diet rich in fiber, as they stimulate the functioning and cleaning of the intestine, and prevent its walls from being weakened and new folds being formed.

For a good functioning of the intestine, it is also very important to drink plenty of fluids throughout the day, being on average 2 liters of water, in addition to eating slowly and chewing well before swallowing. Here's how to eat a high-fiber diet to regulate your gut.

Also, watch other tips from the nutritionist for a correct diet during and after the treatment of diverticulitis, to prevent new crises and improve the functioning of the intestine:

Possible complications

During the course of acute diverticulitis, intestinal inflammation can cause complications, which usually happen when it takes too long to start treatment or when it is done incorrectly. The main ones are:

1. Bleeding

Bleeding or bleeding from the intestine can happen even without inflammation of the diverticulum, which is called diverticular bleeding, and usually manifests with the presence of blood in the stool.

What to do: determining the location and treatment for bleeding are usually done with a colonoscopy. In very heavy bleeding, more complex procedures, such as angiography or even surgery, may be necessary.

2. Abscess

The abscess is an accumulation of purulent fluid, which forms in the event of infection and inflammation of the tissue, and causes a lot of pain and fever.

What to do: to treat the abscess, it is important to use antibiotics, such as Ciprofloxacino and Metronidazole, for example, prescribed by the doctor, and in some cases it may be necessary to drain the infected fluid.

3. Fistula

Fistulas are communications between the intestine and other organs, which originate due to inflammation and the formation of sores on the walls. Some symptoms are abdominal pain and the presence of feces in the urine or eliminated through the vagina, for example.

What to do: Treatment of intestinal fistula is done by the coloproctologist, usually with specific surgical procedures to correct communication depending on the location and size.

4. Drilling

Perforation is a serious complication of diverticulitis, which occurs in advanced cases or has not been treated correctly, and which causes intense abdominal inflammation due to stools that can contaminate the region.

What to do: Usually, surgery is performed to correct or remove the inflamed part of the intestine.

5. Intestinal obstruction

Intestinal obstruction is also a serious complication of diverticulitis, caused by intense inflammation, which prevents the passage of fluids and feces through the intestine, which causes bloating, abdominal cramps and vomiting.

What to do: if it is a partial obstruction, treatment can be done with medication and fasting for a period, however, in more serious obstructions, a surgical procedure to correct the alteration is usually performed.