colonoscopy

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brief description of and  treatment of diverticulosis

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Small pouches in the lining of the colon, or large intestine, that bulge outward through weak spots. Each pouch is called a diverticulum. Multiple pouches are called diverticula. The condition of having diverticula is called diverticulosis.

Diverticulitis is a common gastrointestinal disorder found mainly in the left side of the large intestine (also known as the sigmoid colon). Diverticulitis develops from a condition called diverticulosis, which involves the formation of outpouches of the colon wall. Diverticulolsis is quite common and tends to occur after the age of 50. Diverticulitis results if one or more of these pouches (or diverticula) becomes inflamed. While left sided involvement is the rule, some patients may have diverticulosis and subsequent diverticulitis on the right side (right colon).

Risk factors believed to be important for developing diverticulosis includes: aging, low fiber diet and lack of exercise. There are no known factors that cause diverticulosis to become diverticulitis.
What are the common signs and symptoms of diverticulitis ?
Patients often present with the classic triad of symptoms:
Left sided abdominal pain mainly over the lower left side (also known as left lower quadrant pain).
Fever greater than 100.5° F.
An elevation of the white cell count (blood test).

Patients may also complain of nausea or diarrhea; others may be constipated.

Other symptoms could include: vomiting, bloating, bleeding from your rectum, frequent urination, and difficulty or pain with urination.