Few can say with certainty that it feeds fully and correctly, observing the balance of plant and protein foods in the diet. Because of violations of the basic dietary rules, diverticulitis develops - the symptoms and treatment of this pathology are highly individual, as the symptoms of the disease do not appear for a long time, and the therapy depends on the severity and duration of the inflammatory process.
Symptoms of intestinal diverticulitis
The described illness in the early stages does not make itself felt. First there is a diverticulitis of the large intestine, which is characterized by the formation of protrusions in organ tissues resembling a hernia. It is believed that they appear due to a lack of diet in plant foods, especially rough fiber. This provokes bloating, flatulence and constipation, contributing to the retention of fecal masses, the violation of their excretion and the formation of fecal stones. At this stage, it is possible to diagnose pathology only by X-ray examination, because there are no obvious signs.
Later, degenerative changes in epithelial tissue occur (it is thinned), which reduces its barrier properties. One or more protrusions are infected, the inflammatory process begins. In this case, diverticulitis of the sigmoid colon and small intestine often develops due to the penetration of pathogenic microflora from the thick section into them. Symptom becomes pronounced:
- disorders of stool (both constipation and diarrhea);
- severe paroxysmal pain in the intestinal region, most often on the left side from below and in the suprapubic zone;
- soreness with palpation of the abdomen;
- feverish condition;
- leukocytosis ;
- a constant feeling of nausea, combined with bouts of vomiting;
- bloating.
Severe forms of diverticulitis lead to complications such as peritonitis, abscess, fistula (fistulas), intestinal obstruction and bleeding. In this case, additional signs are noted:
- hard belly;
- impurities of blood or pus in stool;
- very high body temperature;
- low blood pressure.
Treatment of diverticulitis
The non-severe forms of the disease respond well to therapy even at home:
- rest, bed rest;
- reception of antibiotic drugs corresponding to analysis for the sensitivity of the pathogen;
- a strict diet consisting mainly of liquid and ground foods without the addition of fat.
After 5-8 days, the diet is slightly expanded, you can eat a small amount of plant fiber, but the food still remains sparing. It is important to take plantain seeds every day. A month later, a normal amount of fibrous food is added to the diet, the dishes are allowed not to be ground.
A severe type of illness with an increased body temperature and severe pain suggests hospitalization. In a hospital, antibiotics and a glucose solution are administered intravenously, with fasting for several days until the symptomatology of the pathology completely disappears.
Surgical treatment of intestinal diverticulitis
Ineffectiveness of medical methods requires surgical intervention, especially if the risk of developing complications of diverticulitis is high:
- intestinal perforation;
- peritonitis ;
- intestinal bleeding.
The essence of surgical treatment is the excision of the damaged area of the organ. The communication between the colon and the skin surface occurs by the installation of a colostomy. When the inflammatory process completely stops and the reproduction of pathogenic bacteria stops, the colostomy is closed, and the ends of the intestine are sewn together.