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Laymen often confuse diverticulitis with diverticulosis. Although
the two medical conditions are closely related, they are different
and have separate sets of characteristics, as well as symptoms and
cures. Diverticulitis is the more severe form and is the progressed
state of diverticulosis. The latter pertains to the mere formation
of diverticula, which are small pouches found in the intestinal
walls, and is generally considered a benign condition; on the other
hand, the former involves the inflammation or infection of the said
diverticula. Diverticulitis may be chronic or acute. This article
helps you understand the condition better.
Diverticulitis, on the other hand, manifest more serious symptom,
usually likened to the pain felt in appendicitis. The difference
is that the location of the pain differs from time to time. This
is because there already forms a small abscess in the one of the
pouches - or even more - and a perforation of your bowel or a massive
infection is contracted or begins to spread. This perforation or
infection typically subsides in chronic type of the condition, but
reappears and never goes away entirely. When diverticulitis inflames,
bowel obstruction is likely to take place. Symptoms of this include
diarrhea, constipation, abdominal pain, abdominal distention, and
stools relieved as thin sheets. If left ignored and untreated, serious
complications can arise. This is the reason why chronic diverticulitis
needs to be taken seriously and treated as soon as possible.
The complications that can develop are many. For one, if abscesses
grow all around the infected diverticula and penetrate your intestinal
wall, peritonitis may develop. Peritonitis has the potential to
be life-threatening, so immediate treatment is required at all cost.
In some cases, scarring takes place, which then leads to a blockage
or stricture of your intestine. When only one infected small patch
or diverticulum develops, it still shouldn't be taken for granted
because this diverticulum may reach out to a nearby organ and spread
the infection through the formulation of a connecting fistula. Naturally,
when any of the important bodily organs is attacked, damage to the
entire system will be felt. In chronic diverticulitis, this dangerous
connection to an organ usually develops between the bladder and
the large intestine, which results in the spreading of the infection
to the kidneys located nearby.
There are many doctors that specialize in gastroenterology and
the many medical conditions, like chronic diverticulitis, included
in the field. See a doctor right away if you feel any of the symptoms
mentioned in this article.
For more information on the best type of diet for diverticulitis,
as well as diverticulitis treatment, visit DiverticulitisSymptoms.org.
By truly understanding the condition , you are taking the first
step to healing.
Article Source: EzineArticles.com:
Chronic Diverticulitis and Its Complications
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