In Michelle’s project I learned that diverticulitis is an inflammatory disease of the large intestine. It occurs when bulging pouches in the digestive tract, also known as diverticula, becomes inflamed and irritated. This can happen for a variety of reasons. One being diet, if a person has a low fiber diet it is thought that this can lead to higher intracolonic pressure resulting in herniation throughout the colon wall. Other reasons include lifestyle habits such as obesity, genetic factors and gut microbiome. The severity of diverticulitis can vary depending on the case. In some cases, people will only have a few formed diverticula, in other cases there can be hundreds lingering in the colon. They only become a problem when the diverticula begins to become blocked or obstructed with fecalith. This is what causes the inflammation leading to perforations, abscess and fistulas. The formation of diverticula is caused by mucosal herniations in the colonic lumen in the large intestine. Treatment of this disease can vary depending on the severity of the case. Some cases can be treated without medication and manage the disorder with lifestyle and diet changes. Other cases involving more severe symptoms can be managed through antibiotics. In the most severe cases, surgery can be required. Only about 12% of diverticulitis cases show symptoms, many people go undiagnosed because they aren’t symptomatic. Common symptoms include pain, nausea, vomiting, constipation and diarrhea. The exact cause of this disease is not completely understood, but it has been linked to many factors including diet, lifestyle and genetics.
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In Michelle’s project I learned that diverticulitis is an inflammatory disease of the large intestine. It occurs when bulging pouches in the digestive tract, also known as diverticula, becomes inflamed and irritated. This can happen for a variety of reasons. One being diet, if a person has a low fiber diet it is thought that this can lead to higher intracolonic pressure resulting in herniation throughout the colon wall. Other reasons include lifestyle habits such as obesity, genetic factors and gut microbiome. The severity of diverticulitis can vary depending on the case. In some cases, people will only have a few formed diverticula, in other cases there can be hundreds lingering in the colon. They only become a problem when the diverticula begins to become blocked or obstructed with fecalith. This is what causes the inflammation leading to perforations, abscess and fistulas. The formation of diverticula is caused by mucosal herniations in the colonic lumen in the large intestine. Treatment of this disease can vary depending on the severity of the case. Some cases can be treated without medication and manage the disorder with lifestyle and diet changes. Other cases involving more severe symptoms can be managed through antibiotics. In the most severe cases, surgery can be required. Only about 12% of diverticulitis cases show symptoms, many people go undiagnosed because they aren’t symptomatic. Common symptoms include pain, nausea, vomiting, constipation and diarrhea. The exact cause of this disease is not completely understood, but it has been linked to many factors including diet, lifestyle and genetics.