Symptoms
Often, diverticulosis goes unnoticed or is accidentally detected during a colonoscopy for colorectal cancer screening. 80% of the patients never experience any symptoms under their diverticulosis. The rest of those affected usually suffer from cramp-like pain in the left lower abdomen of varying intensity, which sometimes radiates into the back.
Depending on the position of the sigmoid, the pain can also be above the pubic bone or can extend into the right lower abdomen. In some patients, a pressure painful roller in the left lower abdomen is palpable. In addition, patients often suffer from flatulence, stool irregularities such as diarrhoea and hard bowel movements up to constipation.
Depending on the patient, the consistency of the stool may also change or even be constant during a toilet visit, and the bowel movement may be partially covered with mucus or blood. The diverticulosis itself is asymptomatic. If symptoms develop, it is correctly called diverticulosis. Diverticulosis itself is asymptomatic. When symptoms develop, it is correctly called diverticular disease.
Therapy
If one is informed about the presence of diverticula in the intestine, one should pay attention to a diet rich in fiber and dietary fiber even without complaints. This diet should prevent inflammation and the formation of further diverticula. Many dietary fibers are mainly found in cereals, legumes, fresh vegetables and fruit.
A daily drinking quantity of at least 1.5 – 2 liters helps the dietary fibers to swell and keeps the bowel movement soft to counteract constipation. The consumption of animal products, e.g. meat and eggs, should be reduced. Important: During an acute diverticulitis, a different dietary plan than for diverticulitis applies.
Until the inflammation has healed, low-fiber food should be preferred! Since the sacs of the intestinal wall are not capable of regression, a person affected should adapt his or her diet to the diverticulitis throughout his or her life. In order to relieve the bowel, stool irregularities should be regulated by diet or light laxatives, e.g. Movicol or lactulose, after consulting the doctor.
In addition to diet, regular physical activity should also be taken into account, as this stimulates the metabolism and digestion, which in turn prevents constipation. In case of abdominal pain, a muscle-relaxing agent, e.g. butylscopolamine (Buscopan®), can relieve the symptoms in the short term. Drugs that promote intestinal inertia should only be taken after consulting a physician to prevent a possible worsening of diverticulosis. For example, morphine as an analgesic for known diverticulosis should be avoided, as it increases the pressure inside the intestine. Existing sacs can become enlarged and new diverticula can form.
