Diverticulitis

Cadie Ruff

9/28/12

The name of the medical condition I will be talking about is called Diverticulitis, a common colon disease. Some doctors may write it down as D. The diagnosis code for this digestive disease is 562.01. I am happy to be eating a lot of fiber each day, because a common theory is that lack of fiber makes it harder to push my stool out which creates weak spots in the

colon. Diverticula are the pouches (usually about marble size) that form in the wall of the colon. How the diverticula become infected isnt exactly clear yet but a doctors theory includes; when the feces of a person get stuck in their pouches, this immediately leads to diverticulitis. The fact of the matter is, however, Diverticulitis is not the best feeling in the world, it is very painful. Symptoms obviously include change in bowel habits. Other symptoms that could occur are fever, chills, nausea and vomiting, constipation, cramps, diarrhea, bloating, and a symptom less like to occur, is rectal bleeding. These symptoms could last from a few hours to a few days. Irritable bowel syndrome and Urinary tract infections sometimes show the same or similar symptoms to the ones shown during diverticulitis. Patients should tell their normal doctor if he or she is experiencing these symptoms. If a patient were to tell a doctor that they believe they could possibly have diverticulitis because their body has been showing signs of it, then the doctor would perform a CBC test, x-ray tests, or Ct scans. If a test is failed by the patient then antibiotics would be prescribed, Antibiotics are given to treat the infection causing the attack for pain, and Prescription pain relievers could be needed if the nonprescription pain relievers are not working hard enough to fight the pain. If the patient complains of mild cramps, which typically occur during diverticulitis, patients should be instructed to use a heating pad, set on low on the stomach.

If all of the treatments that I listed above do not work like they should, surgery could possibly be needed. However, out of all the patients that are sent to a hospital due to diverticulitis, only 15% to 25% develop complications that require surgery. The doctor will need to tell the patient to drink liquids, and then return to solids whenever

they begin to reduce signs of symptoms, and start feeling better. Most people fully recover after treatment of diverticulitis but the unlucky ones could have their previous case of diverticulitis lead to; Perforation, Peritonitis, Fistula, Blockage or obstruction of the intestine, or Bleeding in the intestine.

References Cited Page

(2012, October 4). General format. Retrieved from http://www.emedicinehealth.com/diverticulosis_and_diverticulitis/page12_em.htm

(2008, July 30). General format. Retrieved from http://www.webmd.com/digestive-disorders/tc/diverticulitis-symptoms

(2011, May 21). General format. Retrieved from http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/diverticulitis/DS00070

(2009). General format. Retrieved from http://icd9cm.chrisendres.com/index.php?action=alphadetail&recordid=26675&start=50