Diverticular Disease Diagram illustrating diverticular disease.
What is diverticular disease? This is a condition where small balloon-like pouches form in the walls of the large intestine. Each pouch is about the size of a marble. If these pouches become infected, the condition is known as diverticulitis. Who is affected? Diverticulitis is more common seen in people over the age of 40 years. According to local research, about one in five people in Singapore are estimated to have diverticular disease.
What causes diverticulitis? The pouches usually form because of a weakness in the wall of the large intestine. Risk factors include: • Getting older (but noted to be rising in younger people) • Constipation • Diet low in fibre and high in red meat • Obesity What are the symptoms or complications of diverticulitis? Some people with diverticular disease have no symptoms and
may not even know they have the condition. Smoking and NSAIDS (a particular type of pain medication) are known to worsen the symptoms of diverticular disease. Those that are bothered by diverticular disease may complain of the following: • Blood in stools • Pain or discomfort near the waistline • Tiredness (that may result from blood loss) • Bloating Complications of diverticular disease may occur: • Infection of the pouches (diverticulitis) • Fistula – this is an abnormal passageway from the pouch to another part of the intestine, bladder or other organ • Stricture – narrowing or blockage of lumen in the large intestine • Perforation – rupture of the pouch
If you have one of the complications of diverticular disease, you may experience the following symptoms: • Generalised abdominal pain made worse by coughing or moving • Hot sweats and chills • Loss of appetite • Feeling sick • Persistent passage of large amount of red or dark red blood • Passing small amounts of faeces or bubbles in your urine • Swollen abdomen • Difficulty in or reduction in passing motion What are the treatment options? Emergency surgery may be necessary if one experiences a complication of diverticular disease. This may be done using a several small or one large incision. Your surgeon will discuss more in detail with you, should surgery be required.
• Massive bleeding Yishun Health is a network of medical institutions and health facilities of the National Healthcare Group. Admiralty Medical Centre • (65) 6807 8000 • www.admiraltymedicalcentre.com.sg Khoo Teck Puat Hospital • (65) 6555 8000 • www.ktph.com.sg Yishun Community Hospital • (65) 6807 8800 • www.yishuncommunityhospital.com.sg The information is correct at the time of printing and subject to revision without further notice.
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