What Should Seniors Know About Diverticular Disease?
Diverticular disease is extremely common in seniors, affecting the majority of those over 80. Understanding this condition helps seniors recognize symptoms, prevent complications, and manage flare-ups appropriately.
Understanding Diverticular Disease
Diverticula are small pouches that form in the walls of the colon, typically in the sigmoid colon on the lower left side. These pouches develop when weak spots in the colon wall bulge outward under pressure. Having diverticula is called diverticulosis.
Diverticulosis is extremely common and usually causes no symptoms. Most people with diverticula never know they have them unless discovered incidentally during colonoscopy or imaging for other purposes.
Diverticulitis occurs when diverticula become inflamed or infected. This condition causes symptoms and requires treatment. About 10 to 25 percent of people with diverticulosis eventually develop diverticulitis.
Risk Factors
Age is the primary risk factor. Diverticula become increasingly common with age, affecting about half of people over 60 and most over 80. The colon wall weakens over time, allowing pouches to form.
Low-fiber diet has traditionally been considered a risk factor, though recent research questions this association. Fiber’s role in prevention remains debated, though high-fiber diets offer other health benefits.
Other risk factors may include obesity, lack of exercise, smoking, and certain medications including NSAIDs and steroids.
Symptoms of Diverticulitis
Diverticulitis typically causes pain in the lower left abdomen. Pain may be sudden and severe or gradually worsening. Fever often accompanies inflammation. Nausea, vomiting, and changes in bowel habits may occur.
Tenderness in the left lower abdomen is characteristic. The area may feel firm or swollen. Symptoms usually develop over hours to days.
Complications
Abscess formation occurs when infection creates pockets of pus. Small abscesses may resolve with antibiotics while larger ones require drainage.
Perforation, or rupture of a diverticulum, allows intestinal contents to leak into the abdominal cavity, causing peritonitis. This serious complication requires emergency surgery.
Fistulas are abnormal connections that can form between the colon and bladder, vagina, or skin. These typically require surgical repair.
Strictures, narrowing of the colon from scarring, can cause bowel obstruction. Repeated episodes of diverticulitis increase stricture risk.
Treatment
Mild diverticulitis may be treated at home with oral antibiotics, clear liquid diet initially, and rest. Symptoms typically improve within a few days.
More severe cases require hospitalization for IV antibiotics, bowel rest, and monitoring. Imaging identifies complications requiring intervention.
Surgery may be needed for complicated diverticulitis, recurrent episodes, or failure to improve with medical treatment. Surgery removes the affected colon segment.
Prevention
High-fiber diet may help prevent diverticulitis in those with diverticula, though evidence is mixed. Fiber promotes regular bowel movements and may reduce colon pressure. Gradual increase in fiber prevents bloating and gas.
Regular physical activity appears to reduce diverticulitis risk. Maintaining healthy weight and not smoking may also help.
Getting Digestive Health Support
All Seniors Foundation encourages attention to digestive symptoms and healthy lifestyle for colon health. Understanding diverticular disease helps manage this common condition. Contact us if you have questions about digestive health.
