Diverticulitis - Diverticulosis - Diverticula

What are the diverticula

Diverticulitis of the colon is a disease of well-being, particularly widespread in industrialized countries.

At the origin of diverticular pathology, in addition to a certain genetic predisposition, there is almost always an unbalanced diet (see in-depth study), too rich in fat and sugar and too poor 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 becomes inflamed, evolving into diverticulitis, the disease shows signs of self.

But what is the exact meaning of all these terms?

diverticula

The diverticula of the colon are extroflexions, a sort of small sacks that form along the intestinal walls. All sectors of the alimentary canal can give rise to diverticula but the colon is the one in which their presence is more common.

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

diverticulosis

The presence of diverticula without inflammatory involvement (without inflammation). It is almost always asymptomatic (it 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).

Pre-divisional state

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

Incidence

Almost 40% of the population aged between 40 and 55 is a carrier of diverticula. In the range between 70 and 80 years the incidence of diverticulosis reaches almost 70-80% of the population.

Although they are more frequent among the elderly, diverticula can appear at any age and the earlier the symptoms arise and the greater the risk of complications (recurrent diverticulitis, ulcerations, etc.).

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

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

Symptoms Diverticulosis

To learn more: Symptoms Diverticulosis

Being asymptomatic, diverticulosis shows no signs of self and is often discovered occasionally during a follow-up visit. Only when diverticula becomes inflamed (diverticulitis) do the typical symptoms of diverticular disease arise.

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

Do you have recent onset abdominal pains?
Do these pains start after the meal? Especially after you've eaten special foods?
are these pains alternating with diarrhea or constipation?
do you feel pain located in the left side?

Symptoms Diverticulitis

To learn more: Symptoms Diverticulitis

The risk that the diverticula will ignite evolving into diverticulitis is fortunately quite low. In general, only 20% of people with diverticula develop symptoms and only 10-15% develop diverticular disease or diverticulitis. Although the percentages are apparently modest, they are nonetheless respectable figures given that in reality, considering the large incidence of the disease, we are talking about millions of people. The diverticulitis of the colon is therefore a patholiga of very high social impact.

The symptoms of diverticular disease are quite varied:

sensation of discomfort and abdominal pain
meteorism, flatulence
abdominal cramps
abdominal pain generally located in the left side
alterations of the alvo with alternation of constipation-diarrhea
fever and abdominal pain
haemorrhagic complication (intestinal bleeding) in 3-5% of patients

Only 20% of diverticula carriers manifest symptoms.

of these, 2% need one or more hospitalizations.
of these, 0.5% requires surgery.
mortality due to causes linked to diverticula is 1 / 10, 000

The most serious complication of diverticulitis is peritonitis (inflammation of the peritoneum, a sort of sac that covers the abdominal cavity). The inflamed diverticula can in fact break, releasing the intestinal waste inside the abdomen.