It does become more common with age, but it actually affects a lot of young people now in the United States, people in their 20s and 30s, said Dr. Alan Harzman, a specialist in colon and rectal surgery at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center.
Stage I disease: Phlegmon or localized pericolic or mesenteric abscess. Stage II disease: Walled-off pelvic, intra-abdominal, or retroperitoneal abscess. Stage III disease: Perforated diverticulitis causing generalized purulent peritonitis.
Some people refer to it as a diverticulitis attack or flare-up. The most common symptom is sharp, cramp-like pain in your lower abdomen. The pain may come on suddenly and persist for days without letting up.
Diverticulitis surgery is usually done if your diverticulitis is severe or life-threatening. You can usually manage your diverticulitis by doing the following: taking prescribed antibiotics.
Diverticular disease of the colon has a high global prevalence. The guidelines suggest performing a colonoscopy 4-6 weeks after the acute episode to exclude colorectal cancer (CRC).
Flare-ups might take days or weeks. Remission might last for months or even years. You may go from a mild flare-up to a severe one and back again. Or, it may get more advanced and spread to other parts of your colon.
Lifestyle changes. Eating a high-fiber diet, rich in foods such as bran, whole-wheat pasta, apples, pears, raspberries, beans, sweet potatoes, avocados, and vegetables, can help prevent regular flare-ups.
In about 95 out of 100 people, uncomplicated diverticulitis goes away on its own within a week. In about 5 out of 100 people, the symptoms stay and treatment is needed. Surgery is only rarely necessary.
If you've had two or three episodes of diverticulitis, your doctor may recommend an elective procedure called sigmoidectomy, in which the affected part of the colon-called the sigmoid colon-is removed to help prevent a recurrence. Before choosing elective surgery, you and your doctor discuss the benefits and risks.
Once treated, most people start feeling better within a few days. Approximately 20% of patients will have another flare-up, or recurrence. This usually happens within 5 years. If diverticulitis keeps recurring, surgery may be considered.
Your doctor can usually treat diverticulitis with a special diet, plenty of rest, and, in some cases, antibiotic medica- tions. Once treated, most people start feeling better within a few days. Approximately 20% of patients will have another flare-up, or recurrence. This usually happens within 5 years.