diverticular / diverticulitis

Question 1

What is diverticula?

Answer 1

Small bulges (diverticula) occur from the pressure of hard stools in the colon
Diverticular disease symptoms:

Question 2

What are the symptoms of diverticular disease?

Answer 2

Abdominal pain, diarrhoea and rectal bleeding

Question 3

What is the drug treatment for diverticular disease?

Answer 3

antispasmodics, paracetamol for pain, diarrhoea (loperamide) and constipation (bulk laxative)

Question 4

What are the symptoms of diverticulitis?

Answer 4

infection symptoms (temperature), severe pain and inflammation

Question 5

What is the treatment for diverticulitis?

Answer 5

Simple analgesia – paracetamol
* Refer patients with complicated acute diverticulitis
* Refer urgently to hospital if significant rectal bleeding

Antibiotics:
* Co amoxiclav
* Cefalexin with metronidazole
* Metronidazole and trimethoprim

Question 6

What are the contraindications for diverticulitis?

Answer 6

• NSAIDS and opioids are contraindicated as it can cause bowel perforation
• Treatments with Aminosalicylates or prophylactic antibodies – not recommended

Question 7

What is the non-drug treatment for diverticular disease?

Answer 7

• Diet and lifestyle changes (eat healthy and increase fibre)
• Weight loss, smoking cessation
• Exercise