Diverticulosis, Diverticular Disease, Diverticulitis Flashcards
Diverticulitis, diverticular disease and diverticulosis is caused by _____
Lack of fibre
How does lack of fibre cause a diverticular
Lack of fibre Causes stool to move slowly through the colon/ large intestine which irritates colon causing diverticular
Whats a diverticular
Pouches on colon wall
Whats the difference between diverticular and diverticulosis
DiverticulOsis is diverticular but with NO symptoms
Diverticulosis is usually age dependent- what age?
40+ usually
Diverticular disease is____
Whats the symptoms
Diverticular WITH symptoms
- abdominal tenderness
- constipation
- diarrhoea
- rectal bleeds
- lower abdominal pain without inflammation or infection
Whats the main symptom of diverticular disease
Lower abdominal pain with no inflammation or infection
Diverticular symptoms overlap with the conditions _____
IBS
Colitis
Does diverticular disease increase or decrease with age
Increases
Usually 40+
Whats diverticulitis
Diverticular with inflammation and infection
SEVERE symptoms - refer
Which would you refer:
Diverticular disease
Diverticulitis
Diverticulosis
Diverticulitis because its associated with inflammation and infection
There are 2 types of diverticulitis, describe them
Acute: when diverticular suddenly becomes inflamed and infected
Complicated diverticulitis: emergency, may require colonoscopy
What are the symptoms of acute diverticulitis
Constant lower abdominal pain
Significant rectal bleeding
Abdominal mass
Fever
Sudden changes in bowel habits
Symptoms of complicated diverticulitis
Abscess
Bowel perforation
Intestinal obstruction
Sepsis
Risk factors of diverticular disease, diverticulosis and diverticulitis
Age > 40 years
No fibre
Genes
Diverticulosis treatment
No treatment if no symptoms
If required bulk laxatives
Acute diverticulitis treatment
Simple analgesia
Refer to GP!!
Only give antibiotics for treatment when certain of infection NOT prophylaxis
When do you refer a patient with acute diverticulitis to hospital urgently
Significant rectal bleed
Diverticular disease treatment
Antibacterial not recommended
BPA
Bulk laxatives
Paracetamol - abdo pain
Antispasmodics - cramps - buscopan
Can you give opioids and nsaids for pain in diverticular disease
Not recommended As causes diverticular perforation (holes in large intestine)
Non drug treatment for diverticular
Increase fibre in diet
Weight loss, smoking cessation
Exercise
Can you use antibacterial prophylaxis and aminosalicylates in diverticular, diverticulitis or diverticulosis
NO
