Diverticular Disease: Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment and Cost
Diverticular disease is a condition where pouches or protrusions occur in the bowel. Our team of specialists at Leicester Bowel Clinic can offer you the best care and treatment for diverticular disease.
What is Diverticular Disease?
Diverticular disease is an illness characterised by small pouches or protrusions (called diverticula) that develop in the bowel, usually in the sigmoid colon (the left side of the colon) – though it can affect any part of the large bowel and even the small bowel.
The presence of diverticula is called diverticulosis. Diverticulosis alone does not cause any symptoms. However, these pouches can collect stool and allow bacteria to thrive in the lining of the bowel. This results in inflammation within the pouches and is called diverticulitis.
What are the Symptoms of Diverticular Disease?
1. Diverticulosis Symptoms
Diverticulosis is the presence of pouches (called diverticula) along the lining of the bowel. If the diverticula are not inflamed or infected, they do not cause any symptoms.
2. Diverticulitis Symptoms
Diverticulosis progresses to diverticulitis, where the diverticula gets infected or becomes inflamed. This diverticular disease causes severe additional symptoms, such as:
- Intense pain in the abdomen (tummy) – usually at the left lower corner.
- Bowel habit changes
- Rectal bleeding
- Fever and nausea
- Fatigue or tiredness
When Should You Seek Medical Help?
If you have been experiencing any or all of the listed symptoms of diverticular disease and/or if you already suffer from other bowel conditions that aggravate it, like IBD or IBS, we recommend that you consult a specialist at the earliest. These symptoms may also indicate the presence of other conditions with similar symptoms, such as stomach ulcers and, in rare cases, even bowel cancer.
If diverticular disease is left untreated, it may have critical consequences, like bowel lining perforation (tearing). With timely medical intervention, we can avoid these complications and ease the symptoms.
What Causes Diverticular Disease?
Diverticular disease has been largely attributed to constipation, usually caused by diets, lifestyle practices, or other underlying diseases.
When bowel movements are not smooth and require straining, the dry stool pushes outwards on the lining of the bowel. This causes pouches called diverticula to develop and protrude from the bowel. Existing bowel conditions like Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) or Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) can also increase the chances of diverticula infection and inflammation.
Countries in North America and Europe have the highest incidence of diverticular disease. This is thought to be because of the dietary habits in these countries. Diets containing high quantities of processed foods and low fibre content may put you at higher risk. The majority of people who contract diverticular disease live in North America, Europe, and Australia, which suggests that genetics may also be a risk factor.
How is Diverticular Disease Diagnosed?
The initial consultation typically involves the doctor going over your symptoms, medical history, diet, bowel habits, and lifestyle practices. If you have bleeding, they may perform a physical examination as well to rule out other possible conditions. You may have to give blood and stool samples at the clinic to evaluate your current health condition.
If the doctor suspects diverticular disease, you may need additional tests for diagnosis confirmation. These may include:
- Colonoscopy: A thin, flexible medical instrument with an attached camera, called a colonoscope, is used to examine the bowel for signs of diverticular disease.
- CT Colonography Scan: Imaging allows the doctor to take a look at the bowel without being as invasive as with a colonoscopy.
- CT Abdomen & Pelvis with Contrast: It is not as sensitive as CT colonography but is able to diagnose diverticular disease in most cases.
Diverticulosis, on the other hand, is usually noticed inadvertently during routine medical checkups, like a colonoscopy or a CT scan of the abdomen. This is because it does not present symptoms like diverticulitis.
What are the Treatment Options for Diverticular Disease?
Depending on the severity of the case, there are several available treatment options for diverticular disease.
1. Conservative Management for Diverticular Disease Control and Prevention
Conservative management for diverticular disease involves making lifestyle changes like eating a high-fibre diet and staying hydrated to manage symptoms. If you have been diagnosed with diverticulosis or want to prevent it, modifying your diet accordingly can be very effective.
The best dietary choices for diverticular disease control and prevention include foods with high fibre content and limited quantities of processed foods. It is best to avoid any foods that you know will cause constipation. Increasing your daily fluid intake and staying active can also be helpful.
2. Surgery
In rare cases, surgery is necessary to treat diverticular disease. Surgical intervention is recommended if you have a history of complications or are at risk of developing them in the future. Emergency surgery is required in extreme cases like bowel perforation (a hole in the bowel lining). Your doctor will thoroughly discuss the expected outcomes and potential risks of the procedure with you.
Resection (Laparoscopic/Robotic/Open) helps to remove the affected portion of the bowel, which may be done through minimally invasive laparoscopic or robotic surgery, or traditional open surgery.
3. Painkillers
Diverticular disease causes pain, which can be treated using painkillers like paracetamol. It is important to note that you should not use painkillers like aspirin to manage pain if you have diverticular disease. This is because these are NSAIDs (Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs) that may further aggravate bowel issues and trigger bleeding.
4. Laxatives
Laxatives are prescribed to relieve constipation. This will allow smooth passage of stool, thus reducing the pressure against the bowel walls and the diverticula on them. Bulk-forming laxatives are usually prescribed.
5. Antibiotics
Antibiotics are used for diverticular disease treatment when there is an infection. While treating diverticulitis with antibiotics, it can be helpful to follow a fluid-only diet. This is because fluids are easier to digest and allow the infection time to heal.
6. Percutaneous Abscess Drainage (PAD)
An abscess is a cavity filled with pus. If diverticula develops into an abscess, diverticular disease treatment is done via a procedure called Percutaneous Abscess Drainage to drain the pus from the abscess. This is usually performed in hospitals by radiologists (x-ray specialists). By the time this is required, often patients have been admitted to the hospital due to the severity of the symptoms or diverticulitis.
Why Choose the Leicester Bowel Clinic?
Book a consultation with us to get treatment for your condition.
At Leicester Bowel Clinic, we focus on bowel health and conditions, digestive issues, and cancer care. Our clinic offers minimally invasive procedures for bowel problems, ensuring effective results and patient comfort. We aim to provide personalised care for our patients and offer the latest treatments for hernias, bowel conditions and rectal disorders.
Pricing
Consultations start at
£200
We look forward to assisting you!
Our Locations
Leicester Bowel Clinic at Spire Hospital
- Wednesdays evenings (Mr Runau) from 6:00 pm until 9:00 pm at: Spire Leicester Hospital Gartree Road Leicester LE2 2FF
- To arrange an appointment directly with the Spire Leicester Hospital, please call the booking line on 0116 2653685
*Free on-site parking is available.
The Health Suite
- CLINICS The Health Suite Thursday evenings (Mr Chaudhri) from 6:00pm until 8:00pm at:The Health Suite, 624a Uppingham Rd, Leicester LE7 9QB
- To arrange an appointment directly with The Health Suit, please call the booking line on 0116 241010
*Free on-site parking is available.
Leicester Bowel Clinic at Nuffield Health Leicester Hospital
- 1st and 3rd Friday of the month (Mr Chaudhri) from 5:30 pm until 8:00 pm at: Nuffield Health Leicester Hospital, Scraptoft Ln, Leicester LE5 1HY
- To arrange an appointment directly with The Nuffield Hospital, please call the booking line on 0300 1311416
*Free on-site parking is available.
Frequently Asked Questions
01. What are the warning signs of diverticular disease?
Common symptoms include abdominal pain and bloating, accompanied by bleeding, changes in bowel habits, high temperature, nausea, and fatigue when an infection is present. It is best to consult a doctor at the earliest if you are experiencing these symptoms for a timely diagnosis.
02. How serious is diverticular disease?
If left untreated, diverticular disease can lead to several potential complications. Some of these complications, like the perforation (or tearing) of the bowel lining, can be life-threatening. If you are experiencing the symptoms or suspect you may have diverticular disease, consult a doctor as soon as possible.
03. What is the best treatment for diverticular disease?
Depending on the severity of your condition, there is an array of available treatment options, ranging from dietary changes and medication to surgery. A specialist can help you choose the best treatment option for you.
04. What is the life expectancy with diverticular disease?
With timely diagnosis, diverticular disease will not affect your life expectancy. However, it is important to not neglect any symptoms you may be experiencing and get an accurate diagnosis from a specialist. This can prevent any potential complications, some of which can be life-threatening.
