Diverticulitis - Diverticulosis - Diverticula

, particularly widespread in industrialized countries.

At the origin of the diverticular pathology, in addition to a certain genetic predisposition, there is almost always an unbalanced diet (see deepening), too rich in fat and sugar and too low in water and fiber.

Strictly speaking, diverticulosis of the colon is not a real disease but a "congenital or acquired anomaly. Only when the diverticula become inflamed, evolving into diverticulitis, does the disease show signs of itself.

But what is the exact meaning of all these terms?

Diverticula

Colon diverticula are protrusions, a kind of small sacs that form along the intestinal walls. All sectors of the alimentary canal can give rise to diverticula but the colon is the one where their presence is most common.

Diverticula can be congenital (present from birth) or acquired. In the first case, the ejection also includes the muscular wall, in the second it affects only the mucous membrane and the serosa.

Diverticulosis

The presence of diverticula without inflammatory involvement (without inflammation). E "almost always asymptomatic (does not show signs of itself)

Diverticulitis

Presence of inflamed diverticula. It is responsible for the symptoms and complications of diverticular disease (symptomatic expression of diverticulosis).

Prediverticular state

It is considered by some to be a transition period between irritable bowel syndrome and actual diverticular disease.

Diverticula can appear at any age and the earlier the symptoms arise and the greater the risk of complications (recurrent diverticulitis, ulceration, etc.).

The prevalence of the disease in subjects under 30, despite being very low (1-2%), is destined to rise due to the continuous worsening of dietary habits and lifestyle (to take advantage, read: diet for diverticulosis).

Women are about twice as likely to develop diverticula than men.

she shows no signs of herself and is often discovered occasionally during a follow-up visit. Only when diverticula become inflamed (diverticulitis) do the typical symptoms of diverticular disease arise.

If the answer to the following questions is yes, you may be suffering from diverticulitis:

do you have any recent abdominal pain?
do these pains begin after the meal? Especially after you've eaten particular foods?
do these pains alternate with diarrhea or constipation?
do you feel localized pain in the left side?

For further information: Diverticulosis Symptoms fortunately it is quite low. Typically only 20% of people with diverticula experience symptoms and only 10-15% develop diverticular disease or diverticulitis. Although the percentages are apparently modest, these are still respectable figures given that in reality, considering the large incidence of the disease, we are talking about millions of people. Colon diverticulitis is therefore a disease with a very high social impact.

Symptoms of diverticular disease are quite varied:

feeling of discomfort and abdominal pain
bloating, flatulence
abdominal cramps
abdominal pain generally localized in the left flank
alterations of the alvo with alternating constipation-diarrhea
fever and abdominal pain
bleeding complication (intestinal bleeding) in 3-5% of patients

Only 20% of diverticula wearers experience symptoms.

of these, 2% require one or more hospitalizations.
of these, 0.5% require surgery.
mortality from causes related to diverticula is 1 / 10,000

The most serious complication of diverticulitis is peritonitis (inflammation of the peritoneum, a kind of sac that lines the abdominal cavity). Inflamed diverticula can in fact rupture releasing intestinal waste inside the abdomen.

For further information: Diverticulitis Symptoms.