What is diverticula in the colon

During angiography, a number of techniques can be used to control the bleeding, particularly embolization and, less often, vasopressin injection. Angiographic complications of bowel ischemia or infarction are less common Surgery is rarely needed but is recommended for patients who have had multiple or persistent episodes of diverticular bleeding refractory to therapy or who have hemodynamic instability despite aggressive resuscitation.

If angiography or surgery is being considered, identifying the specific bleeding diverticulum endoscopically or using a nuclear medicine study during active bleeding gives direction to the interventional radiologist and may limit the size of a potential surgical resection.

When the bleeding site is known, the need for subtotal colectomy with its associated higher morbidity and mortality is markedly reduced because a hemicolectomy or segmental colectomy may be done instead. However, patients who have continued and life-threatening hemorrhage and no identifiable bleeding diverticulum may require a subtotal colectomy. The following are some English-language resources that may be useful. American College of Gastroenterology: Practice guidelines on management of adults with acute lower GI bleeding.

Symptomatic uncomplicated diverticular disease refers to the presence of persistent and recurrent nonspecific abdominal symptoms in patients with diverticulosis Colonic Diverticulosis Colonic diverticulosis is the presence of one or more diverticula in the colon. Some medical authorities consider symptomatic uncomplicated diverticular disease SUDD to be a form of irritable bowel syndrome Irritable Bowel Syndrome IBS Irritable bowel syndrome is characterized by recurrent abdominal discomfort or pain with at least two of the following characteristics: relation to defecation, association with a change in frequency Patients with SUDD have left lower quadrant abdominal pain with bloating, constipation, diarrhea, or passage of mucus from the rectum.

In general, patients have a very low incidence of complications. There are no strong, evidence-based data regarding treatment of patients with SUDD 1 General references Colonic diverticulosis is the presence of one or more diverticula in the colon.

Elisei W, Tursi A : Recent advances in the treatment of colonic diverticular disease and prevention of acute diverticulitis. Ann Gastroenterol 29 1 —32, Boynton W, Floch M : New strategies for the management of diverticular disease: Insights for the clinician.

Therap Adv Gastroenterol 6 3 —, From developing new therapies that treat and prevent disease to helping people in need, we are committed to improving health and well-being around the world. The Manual was first published in as a service to the community. Learn more about our commitment to Global Medical Knowledge. This site complies with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information: verify here.

Common Health Topics. Videos Figures Images Quizzes Symptoms. Symptoms and Signs. Complications of diverticulosis Diverticular bleeding Diverticular bleeding reference. Treatment of diverticular bleeding. Key Points. More Information. General references. A high-fiber diet will sharply reduce the risk of developing diverticula — and even after the pouches form, dietary fiber will reduce the risk of diverticulitis and diverticular bleeding.

The Institute of Medicine recommends 38 grams of fiber a day for men age 50 and under and 30 grams a day for older men. For women, the recommended amount is 30 grams a day for those age 50 and under and 21 grams a day thereafter. Most Americans get much, much less. The table lists the fiber content of some foods and supplements. Fiber is important for bowel function and general health, but it can be hard to get used to. Many people feel bloated and gassy when they start a high-fiber diet, but if they stick with it, these side effects usually diminish within a month or so.

Still, it's best to ease into a high-fiber diet. Increase your daily intake by about 5 grams per week until you reach your goal, and be sure to have plenty of fluids as well.

For most people, a high-fiber cereal is the place to start, but if breakfast isn't your thing, you can have it any time during the day. Until recently, doctors banned nuts, seeds, corn, and popcorn from the diet of diverticulosis patients. Although they had no real evidence that these foods were harmful, doctors worried that these small particles might pass into the colon undigested and then lodge in the mouth of a diverticulum, blocking the pouch and making things worse.

But a Harvard study put these fears to rest. During the year study, the men who ate the most nuts and popcorn actually had a lower risk of acute diverticulitis than the men who ate the least; there was no change in the risk of bleeding, for better or worse.

Scientists are experimenting with other ways to prevent attacks of diverticulitis and episodes of bleeding; among other things, long-term nonabsorbable oral antibiotics are under study. People with diverticular disease might be wise to avoid or minimize their use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, which may or may not increase the risk of trouble.

Even so, dietary fiber remains the key to preventing diverticulitis and its complications. And if that's not enough reasons to chow down lots of "roughage," consider the other benefits of a high-fiber diet. Dietary fiber fights constipation. Because it reduces straining that puts pressure on the abdomen and the veins, fiber reduces the risk of hernias, hemorrhoids , and even varicose veins. In some, but not all, studies, fiber has been linked to a reduced risk of colon cancer.

Fiber is filling, and it helps combat obesity. It improves blood sugar metabolism, lowering the chances of developing diabetes. It lowers blood pressure. As a service to our readers, Harvard Health Publishing provides access to our library of archived content.

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Most people who have diverticulosis are unaware that they have the condition because it usually does not cause symptoms. It is possible that some people with diverticulosis experience bloating, abdominal cramps, or constipation due to difficulty in stool passage through the affected region of the colon.

Because most people do not have symptoms, diverticulosis is often found incidentally during evaluation for another condition or during a screening exam for polyps. Gastroenterologists can directly visualize the diverticula more than one pouch, or diverticulum in the colon during a procedure that uses a small camera attached to a lighted, flexible tube inserted through the rectum.

One of these procedures is a sigmoidoscopy, which uses a short tube to examine only the rectum and lower part of the colon. A colonoscopy uses a longer tube to examine the entire colon.

Diverticulosis can also be seen by other imaging tests, for example, computed tomography CT scan or barium x-rays. Once diverticula form, they do not disappear by themselves. Fortunately, most patients with diverticulosis do not have symptoms, and therefore do not need treatment. When diverticulosis is accompanied by abdominal pain, bloating or constipation, your doctor may recommend a high-fiber diet to help make stools softer and easier to pass.

While it is recommended that we consume 20 to 35 grams of fiber daily, most people only get about half that amount. The easiest way to increase fiber intake is to eat more fruits, vegetables or grains. Apples, pears, broccoli, carrots, squash, baked beans, kidney beans, and lima beans are a few examples of high-fiber foods. As an alternative, your doctor may recommend a supplemental fiber product such as psyllium, methylcellulose or polycarbophil.