Diverticulitis

The colon wall is weak where the blood vessels enter and this can lead to outpouchings or pockets
called diverticuli

When patients develop these diverticuli we call it Diverticulosis. Above the age of 50, over 60% of us
have Diverticulosis, or pocketed pouches. They, in themselves, do not cause any symptoms.

However, if the mouth of the bowel pocket gets blocked by corn, nuts, stool or food, pus forms in the
pocket and leads to Diverticulitis. Patients usually have fairly severe pain usually felt in the left of the
belly button and below. Also, fever, nausea and vomiting can result.

Prompt medical intervention with antibiotics needs to be undertaken. A CT scan of the abdomen and
pelvis is used to confirm the medical suspicion. Most cases resolve with antibiotics but some may need
hospitalization and drainage of the pus collection. Less commonly, urgent surgery is required. Some
cases with recurrent diverticulitis may require surgical removal of the sigmoid colon. This is now easily
accomplished by “keyhole surgery” with a 3-4 day hospitalization.

The cornerstone of prevention of recurrences of diverticulitis remains a high fiber diet. Nuts, corn and
seeds can be consumed if chewed into pulp before swallowing