Severe pain on the left side of your stomach? It could be Diverticulitis!

Imagine that you suddenly feel a sharp pain in your stomach, especially on the lower left side. Along with this, you also feel feverish and nauseous. Have you ever experienced something like this? Many people think that this is a normal stomach ache or gas problem, but sometimes this can be a condition that requires a little more attention. Today we are going to talk about such a condition, 'Diverticulitis'. It is very important to be aware of this.

Simply put, what is Diverticulitis?

To understand this, we first need to know what 'Diverticulosis' is. In the wall of our large intestine (colon), sometimes over time, small pouches or bubbles can protrude. Just like a small blister on a car tire. We call these small pouches 'Diverticula'. If you have these pouches in your colon, that condition is called Diverticulosis .

This condition is very common as we age. And many people have these little pouches without any problems or symptoms.

However, the problem starts when one or more of these small pouches become infected or inflamed. That's what we call Diverticulitis . This is what causes symptoms like pain and fever. This is a condition that requires medical attention.

What are the symptoms of diverticulitis?

The symptoms of diverticulitis can vary slightly from person to person, but there are some common symptoms. Let's take a look at what they are.

Where does stomach ache come from?

This is a very important question. Most of the time, especially in people of European descent, these small pouches (diverticula) form in the last part of the large intestine. That is, in the sigmoid colon . This is located in the lower left side of our abdomen. Therefore, when Diverticulitis occurs, about 90% of people feel pain in the lower left side of their abdomen .

But, here's something special for us. People of Asian descent, that is, people like us, sometimes have these pouches on the right side of the intestine. If that happens, the pain can come from the upper right side of the abdomen . Therefore, it's not good to just think about where the stomach pain is coming from and decide that this is not the case.

Why does Diverticulitis occur? What are the causes?

It's hard to pinpoint one specific cause of diverticulitis, but there are a few main factors that doctors believe contribute to it.

• Infection: Something like a piece of stool can get stuck in those little sacs we talked about. Then bacteria can grow there and cause an infection. This infection is what causes the swelling and pain.
• Perforation of the pouch wall: Sometimes, when a bowel movement is difficult, or for some other reason, a microscopic tear can form in the wall of this small pouch. This allows normal bacteria in the intestines to enter through it and cause an infection.
• Other infections: Some studies have found that viral infections such as cytomegalovirus (CMV) can also contribute to the development of this condition.

Some people also ask if there is a genetic influence on this. Diverticulitis is not directly a hereditary disease. However, it has been found that there may be a genetic influence on the tendency to develop those small pouches in the intestine (diverticulosis).

Can this be serious? Possible complications

Most of the time (about 80%) Diverticulitis is an uncomplicated condition. This means that it resolves quickly with proper treatment. However, sometimes, especially if left untreated or if the infection becomes severe, serious complications can occur. It is important to be aware of these.

Symptoms that suggest a complication

• If you see new blood when you go to the toilet.
• If your face is pale and your body feels lifeless .
• If you feel the need to urinate frequently or if you feel burning or pain when urinating.
• If your stomach feels hard when you touch it and it hurts so much that you can't even touch it.

How does a doctor find this?

When you see a doctor with the symptoms you mentioned above, the first thing he or she will do is ask you questions and examine your abdomen. After that, they may do several tests to confirm the diagnosis.

• Blood Tests: Check for infection in the body.
• CT Scan: This is the best way to diagnose diverticulitis. It can clearly show if there is swelling, abscesses, or other complications in the colon.
• Colonoscopy: Sometimes, after symptoms have resolved, your doctor may recommend a test that involves inserting a camera into your colon to look closely at the condition of your colon.

What are the treatments for diverticulitis?

Treatment depends on the severity of your symptoms and whether or not you have any complications.

Treatments that can be done at home (Mild cases)

If the symptoms are not too severe, the doctor will advise you to treat yourself at home.

• Liquid Diet: This involves stopping solid foods for a few days and only eating liquids such as soup, porridge, and fruit juice. This gives the intestines a rest.
• Antibiotics: To control the infection, you need to take the antibiotics prescribed by your doctor exactly for the prescribed period.
• Painkillers: You can take a medicine like Paracetamol for pain. However, be very careful about what you say next.

Do not use these medications!

Do not use any painkillers other than those prescribed by your doctor.

Hospital treatment (Severe cases)

If the condition is severe, if the fever does not go down, if you are vomiting, or if there are complications, you will need to be hospitalized for treatment.

• IV medication: Antibiotics and painkillers are given through a saline line (IV line).
• Blood Transfusion: If you have lost a lot of blood, you may need to have a blood transfusion.
• Draining an abscess: If an abscess has formed, it may need to be drained using a tube.
• Surgery: If the bowel is perforated, has a fistula, or has other serious complications, surgery may be needed to remove the damaged part of the bowel (a colectomy). Sometimes, a temporary opening in the abdomen (a colostomy) may be needed to allow stool to pass through.

Can diverticulitis be prevented from coming back?

Yes, to some extent it is possible. Changing your lifestyle and eating habits can greatly reduce the risk of this recurring.

1. Eat a high-fiber diet: Eat more fiber-rich foods like vegetables, fruits, legumes, and whole grains (rice with sprouts, atta flour). These soften stools and make them easier to pass.

2. Drink plenty of water: Drink at least 2-3 liters of water a day. This will also soften the stool.

3. Exercise regularly: Daily exercise, such as walking or running, is very good for bowel function.

If you have any further questions about this, please talk to your doctor and clarify.

Diverticulitis, Diverticulosis, Stomach ache, Bowel disease, Constipation, Colonoscopy, CT scan