WHAT YOU SHOULD
KNOW
Diverticulitis (di-ver-tik-u-LIE-tis) is an inflammation
of small pouches called ""diverticula'' that often develop in
the wall of the large bowel (colon). Waste from digested food
can get trapped in the diverticula and cause swelling and
pain.
Causes
Frequently no cause can be found.
Having a family history of diverticulitis or eating a low-fiber
diet may make you more likely to have this
problem.
Signs/Symptoms
The main symptom is abdominal
pain that either comes and goes or lasts all the time. You may
also have a fever, feel like throwing up, or develop tenderness
in the belly.
Care
Your doctor may order x-rays and
tests. If the diverticula are infected, you may be given
antibiotics. If you have a bad infection or if you need surgery
to remove part of the colon, you may need a stay in the
hospital.
Do's/Don'ts
To keep from having more attacks
of diverticulitis, get plenty of rest, allow yourself plenty of
time to move your bowels, eat foods with fiber in them, and
drink plenty of water.
Risks
Without treatment, the problem
could get worse, and the diverticula could bleed or burst,
causing a life-threatening infection in the
abdomen.
WHAT YOU SHOULD DO
-
You may take over-the-counter medicines for
constipation, but use them exactly as your doctor
directs.
-
If you feel a medication is not helping, call your
doctor, but do not quit taking it on your
own.
-
You may also use stool softeners to make the stool
easier to pass. Follow the directions on the
label.
-
If you have abdominal pain and a fever, take only
clear liquids, such as ginger ale, juices, broth, or
gelatin.
-
Heat on the belly may help lessen the pain. Use an
electric heating pad set on low.
-
Stay in bed if you have pain and fever. When you feel
better, you may begin your normal activities
again.
-
Don't strain while moving your
bowels.
-
To help prevent more attacks:
-
Eat foods that are high in fiber. Good choices are
whole grain breads, oatmeal or bran cereals, and plenty
of vegetables and fruits.
-
Drink lots of water.
-
Eat at regular hours.
Call Your Doctor If...
-
You have a high temperature.
-
You continue to have really bad abdominal pain even
with treatment.
-
Your stool is black or contains
blood.
-
You are throwing up or have swelling in your
abdomen.
IF YOU'RE HEADING FOR THE
HOSPITAL...
What to Expect While You're
There
You may encounter the following
procedures and equipment during your stay.
-
Colonoscopy (co-lin-OS-ko-pee): A test that gives
the doctor a view of the inside of the colon (large
intestine). A soft tube with a light and camera lens on the
end of it is inserted through the rectum and pushed into
the colon.
-
Sigmoidoscopy (sig-moid-OS-ko-pee): This test gives
the doctor a view of only the lower end of the colon,
called the sigmoid, and the rectum. A short, flexible tube
with a light and camera lens is used for the
test.
-
Barium Enema: This is an x-ray of the bowel. You are
given an enema with a chemical called barium in it. The
barium blocks x-rays so that outline of bowel will appear
on the film.
-
Activity: You may need to rest in bed. Once you are
feeling better, you will be allowed out of
bed.
-
Medicines:
-
Antibiotics will be prescribed to fight infection.
They may be given in an IV, in a shot, or by
mouth.
-
Stool Softeners will be given to make bowel
movements easier. Some can be taken by mouth, others are
placed in the rectum.
-
Taking Vital Signs: These include your temperature,
blood pressure, pulse (counting your heartbeats), and
respirations (counting your breaths). A stethoscope is used
to listen to your heart and lungs. Your blood pressure is
taken by wrapping a cuff around your
arm.
-
Pulse Oximeter: You may be hooked up to a pulse
oximeter (ox-IM-uh-ter). It is placed on your ear, finger,
or toe and is connected to a machine that measures the
oxygen in your blood.
-
Oxygen: Your body may need extra oxygen at this
time. It is given either by a mask or nasal prongs. Tell
your doctor if the oxygen is drying out your nose or if the
nasal prongs bother you.
-
Blood: Usually taken from a vein in your hand or
from the bend in your elbow. Tests will be done on the
blood.
-
ECG: Also called a heart monitor, an
electrocardiograph (e-lek-tro-CAR-dee-o-graf), or EKG. The
patches on your chest are hooked up to a TV-type screen or
a small portable box (telemetry unit). This screen shows a
tracing of each heartbeat. Your heart will be watched for
signs of injury or damage that could be related to your
illness.
-
Chest X-ray: This picture of your lungs and heart
shows how they are handling the
illness.
-
IV: A tube placed in your vein for giving medicine
or liquids. It will be capped or have tubing connected to
it.
-
Blood Transfusion: If you are bleeding heavily, you
may be given more blood.
After You Leave
Follow the directions listed
under ""What You Should Do.''
Return to top
|
Email this page
Printer friendly
Bookmark this page
