Diverticular Disease (Week 4 GI) Flashcards
What is diverticula?
Herniation or outpoutching of the colonic mucosa through the colonic muscle wall
What is diverticulosis?
presence of diverticula but no inflammation
What is diverticulitis?
diverticula become inflamed - disease
* impacted feces
* inadequate drainage from diverticula
Where is diverticular disease seen
- elderly (most common)
- low fibre diets (most common)
- increasingly common with IBD
- slightly higher prevalence in people who smoke
- alcohol to excess
- overweight/ obese (probably realted to low fibre)
How many people develop into diverticulitis?
10-15% of people with diverticulosis will develop diverticulitis
* most people with diverticulosis go un-diagnosed until inflammation occurs (can last for decades)
Symptoms of dierticular disease
- abdominal pain, distension
- fever
- anorexia
- flatulence
- belching
What might help prevent DD?
A diet high in fibre and low in total fat and red meat and a lifestyle with more physical activity might help prevent DD
DD treatment methods
- surgery
- diet
When is surgery required for DD?
if abscess, perforation, fistula or obstruction
* may require ostomy, or temporary ostomy
* perforated bowel - peritonitis (serious condition)
Diet therapy for DD
- acute: low fibre
- chronic: gradual progression to high fibre with adequate fluid
What are hemorrhoids?
Protrusion of enlarged veins into anal cavity or canal
* can be interal or external
Causes of hemorrhoids
- pregnancy
- constipation/straining
- infiltrating carcinoma
- portal hypertension (usually hepatic disease)
Treatment of hemorrhoids
- occasionally surgery
- gradual progression to high fibre with lots of fluid (would want soluble fibre to soften things up insoluble might be too bulky)
- topical immunosuppresants for external hemorrhoid
