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How to Manage and Treat Diverticulitis

Diverticulitis is a gastroenterological condition impacting the large intestine. Also known as the colon, the large intestine is responsible for storing and eliminating food waste in the human body. As a person ages, pressure from within the colon can cause bulging sacks or pockets of tissue to push out from the walls of the colon. These are called diverticula.

In the United States, diverticula are common amongst the aging population. While a rare condition for those under 40, nearly three quarters of Americans over 80 will develop some form of diverticulosis, which is the condition of having diverticula.

Some people with diverticulosis may not experience any symptoms. Others will experience issues like abdominal pain, constipation, and diarrhea. However, diverticulitis develops when a diverticulum becomes ruptured and infected. This is a more serious condition than just diverticulosis, and is often associated with abdominal pain, abdominal tenderness, colonic obstruction and fever.

If you are suffering from diverticulitis, you should seek medical treatment from your local gastroenterologist as soon as possible. Fortunately, there are various steps that you and your doctor can take to help manage diverticulitis. These include,

Hopefully this information will help you in the treatment and management of diverticulitis. Remember that you should always visit your local gastroenterologist and get advice specific to your situation if you believe you have a medical issue. If you’re local to the DFW area, consider visiting the offices of Arlington Gastroenterology Services. We serve the entire DFW/North Texas region, including Arlington, Keller, Southlake, Plano, Fort Worth, Dallas, Austin, Richardson, and many other cities in Texas.

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