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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.
