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$Title{What Are the Early Signs of Diverticulitis?}
$Subject{diverticulitis bowel diet Digestive sacs diverticula diet roughage
fiber diverticulosis diverticulum colon}
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Copyright (c) 1991-92,1993   Tribune Media Services, Inc.


What Are the Early Signs of Diverticulitis?


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QUESTION:  Regarding diverticulitis, what are the early signs of such, and if
the condition is confirmed, what type of diet is recommended?

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ANSWER:  To suffer from diverticulitis, which is an acute situation, you must
first have diverticulosis.  Diverticulosis is a condition where many small
sacs, or diverticula, push through the muscle wall of the colon.  From 30 to
40 percent of persons over the age of 50 may have these small sacs or
herniations protruding through their colons.  It is believed that they are
caused by a lack of bulk in the diet, and resulting spasm of the colon
muscles, which produce the pressure necessary to form the sacs.  In general,
most people with diverticulosis have no symptoms, and a diet rich in roughage
or fiber is recommended.  When diverticulitis strikes, the picture changes
rapidly.  It may start with pain and tenderness in the abdomen, usually in the
lower left portion, which rapidly becomes quite severe.  Fever may be present,
and sometimes a mass can be felt in the area of the pain.  When this occurs,
it is necessary to put the bowel to rest, using hospitalization, intravenous
fluids, bed rest, with no food taken by mouth.  Antibiotics are used when the
temperature is high, and when infection is suspected.  The danger in
diverticulitis is that the infected sac will perforate and allow the bowel
contents to spread throughout the abdomen.  In such cases surgery is usually
required to repair the damage, sometimes by removing a piece of the colon.
Seeking care at the earliest moment can do much to prevent complications.

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The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace
the counsel and advice of your personal physician.  Promptly consulting your
doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical
problem.