DIVERTICULITIS Anna Patton March 8, 2012 Prof William Brown

WHAT IS DIVERTICULITIS? Diverticulitis happens when one or more diverticula in your digestive tract becomes inflammed or infected. Diverticula are small pouches that form anywhere in your digestive system, including your esophagus, stomach, and small intestine. But they are most commonly found in the large intestine.

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Background of Diverticulitis Diverticula in the colon may be caused by increased pressure inside the colon that presses outward on the walls. Areas where blood vessels enter the wall of the colon are points of weakness and more likely to be points where they form. The increased pressure combined with decreased strength of connective tissue causes parts of the wall to bulge out. Diverticular disease is common in industrialized countries, especially in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Australia, and fairly rare in Asia and Africa. It affects about 50% of Americans by age 60 and nearly all by age 80. A low-fiber diet is believed to be the main cause of the disease.

What are the symptoms? The most common symptom is belly pain, usually in the lower left side, that is sometimes worse when you move. Fever and chills. Bloating and gas. Diarrhea or constipation. Nausea and sometimes vomiting. Decreased appetite.

Treatments Most patients with diverticulitis have a little or no symptoms and do not require treatment. A high fiber diet and fiber supplements are advisable to prevent constipation and the formation of more diverticula. Patients with mild symptoms of abdominal pain due to muscle spasms in the area of the diverticula may benefit from anti- spasmodic drugs. When diverticulitis occurs, antibiotics are usually needed. Oral antibiotics are good when symptoms are mild. In severe diverticulitis with high fever and pain, patients are hospitalized and given IV antibiotics. Surgery is needed for patients with persistent bowel obstruction or abscess not responding to antibiotics.

Prevention Once formed, diverticula are permanent. No treatment has been found to prevent complications of this disease. Diets high in fiber helps stool become softer and prevents constipation, and may help prevent further diverticular formation or worsening of the condition. The American Dietary Association recommends grams of fiber daily. Unfortunately, the average adult in the US only consumes grams of fiber daily. Some doctors recommend avoiding nuts, corn, and seeds which can plug diverticular openings and cause diverticulitis.

3 Day Meal Plan Breakfast Half a cup of Fiber One cereal = 11.9 g 1 Apple = 2.8 g 1 cup of coffee = 1 g Total = 15.7 g Lunch Chicken salad = 2 g 1 pear = 5.5 g 1 cup of vegetable juice = 2 g Total = 9.5 g Dinner 1 cup of chilli with beans = 11 g 1 cup of artichokes = 6 g Glass of water = 0 Total = 17 g Total for the day: 42.2 grams

3 Day Meal Plan Breakfast 1 medium Oat Bran muffin = 5.2 g 1 medium pear = 5.5 g Instant tea = 1 g Total = 11.7 g Lunch Tuna Salad = 2 g Cherry yogurt = 1 g 1 apple = 2.8 g 1 cup tomato juice = 2 g Total = 7.8 g Dinner 1 cup veggie stew = 3 g 1 cup of brocolli = 5 g Prune juice = 3 g Total = 11 g Total for the day: 30.5 grams

3 Day Meal Plan Breakfast 1 cup of instant oatmeal = 4.0 g 1 medium banana = 3.1 g 1 cup of coffee = 1 g Total = 8.1 grams Lunch Grilled cheese sandwich w/whole wheat bread = 4 g Cantaloupe = 5 g Prune juice= 3 g Total = 12 g Dinner 1 cup fried rice = 6 g 1 cup of stir fried carrots = 5 g 1 banana = 3 g Glass of water = 0 Total = 14 g Total for the day: 34.1 grams

Questions What are the symptoms of diverticulitis? –Belly pain, fever, chills, bloating, gas, constipation. What type of diet should you eat? –High Fiber diet. Will you ever need surgery for diverticulitis? –Surgery is needed for patients with persistent bowel obstruction or abscess not responding to antibiotics.

References 1."Web MD." Diverticulitis. N.p., 26JULY2010. Web. 8 Mar "MayoClinic." Diverticulitis. N.p., 02AUG2011. Web. 8 Mar "MedicineNet." Diverticulitis. N.p., Web. 8 Mar Cartwright, Peter. Coping with Diverticulitis. Sheldon Press, pages. 5.Mcclelland, Joan. Diverticulitis (How to Cope Successfully)