Question

what is diverticulitis? Is diverticulitis passed down? treatment or diet for diverticulitis? Does other factors make a difference in serve of the diverticulitis?

Answer 1

ANSWER :

▪︎DIVERTICULITIS : Inflammation or infection of the diverticula(small , bulging pouches from the lining of the digestive tract) is called as diverticulitis.

▪︎Yes, diverticulitis is passed down. It runs in families and 40 to 50 % of risk of diverticular disease is hereditary.

▪︎TREATMENT :

~Uncomplicated : Dietary changes and medication

a)Dietary changes : Avoid solid foods and give clear liquid diet for few days -------> symptoms improve ------> Low fiber diet ------> further improved ------> add high fiber diet.

b)Medical : Acetaminophen for pain and full course of antibiotics ( Amoxicillin or Metronidazole etc) if infection is suspected.

~Complicated : Surgical

a)Aspirate or drain the abscess

b)Bowel resection with anastomosis or colostomy

▪︎Yes , other factors make a difference in the serve of diverticulitis.They are :

• Age : Risk of diverticulitis increases with age
• Physical inactivity : Physical activity reduces the risk of diverticulitis
• Over weight : Increase in BMI increases the risk of diverticulitis
• Food habits : High animal fat + low fiber diet increases the risk
• Smoking : Increases the risk
• Drugs : NSAID's , opiods , steroids etc increase risk of diverticulitis.