General Health Increase your daily intake of green vegetables. Introduce fibre gradually to avoid unpleasant symptoms such as flatulence. during an acute attack. Tests to confirm the diagnosis of diverticular disease include: • Medical history – including dietary habits • Physical examination – including rectal examination. • Colonoscopy – a slender flexible tube inserted into the anus so that the doctor can look at the entire length of the large intestine, • Barium enema – a special contrasting dye flushed into the bowel via the anus and x-rays are taken, • CT scan – to detect abscesses outside the bowel lining, • Blood tests – to check for signs of infection. • Stool tests – to check for the presence of blood in the faeces or the presence of infections, which may mimic the symptoms of diverticulosis and diverticulitis. Treatment for Diverticulosis For a person with diverticulosis, there is no proven way to prevent the formation of new diverticula. Treatment revolves around the settling of symptoms. • A gradual switch to a diet with increased soluble fibre (green vegetables, oat bran and fibre supplements such as psyllium) usually leads to an improvement in bowel habit and mild symptoms. • Some foods may make symptoms worse or even lead to diverticulitis. Nuts, seeds and pips are best avoided, while some individuals find avoiding legumes (peas and beans) and sweet corn also helps. • Short-term use of laxatives to treat and prevent constipation may be advised. • Rarely, elective surgery is performed to remove seriously affected bowel segments when symptoms are disabling. Treatment for Diverticulitis Diverticulitis requires immediate medical attention, and treatment may include: • No eating or drinking – intravenous fluids are given to rest the bowel. • Antibiotics. • Pain-killing medications. • Surgery – if the weakened sections of bowel wall have ruptured or become obstructed, or if the attack of infection fails to settle. • Colostomy – if it isn’t possible to rejoin the healthy sections of bowel, a colostomy bag will be fitted. This is more common if the surgery is performed as an emergency. The use of a colostomy is generally temporary and the bowel can be rejoined after six to 12 months, if health permits. • The long-term use of a mild antibiotic – this is often necessary to prevent further attacks. Self-care suggestions include: • Increase your daily intake of green vegetables. Introduce fibre gradually to avoid unpleasant symptoms such as flatulence. • Consider using a fibre supplement (such as psyllium). • Drink plenty of fluids to ensure your stools are soft, moist and easy to pass. • Exercise regularly to encourage bowel function and peristalsis. Where to get help • Your doctor. • Gastroenterologist or specialist surgeon. Things to remember • Diverticulosis is the formation of abnormal pouches in the bowel wall. • Diverticulitis is inflammation or infection of these abnormal pouches. • Together, these conditions are known as diverticular disease. • Treatment options include a change of diet, antibiotics and (rarely) surgery. pm Pindara M 28 agazine Summer | 2014/15
Pindara Private Hospital Magazine - Issue Three
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