Diverticulitis is a condition affecting the digestive tract, specifically the large intestine, where small, bulging pouches called diverticula can form. These pouches, when they become inflamed or infected, lead to diverticulitis. This article clarifies signs indicating a need for immediate medical attention and guides readers on when to seek hospital care for diverticulitis symptoms.
Recognizing Diverticulitis Indicators
Diverticulitis often presents with indicators that may not always necessitate an emergency hospital visit. Abdominal pain, often in the lower left abdomen, is common. This discomfort can range from mild to moderate intensity.
Changes in bowel habits, such as constipation or diarrhea, are also common. A mild fever (below 100.4°F or 38°C) may accompany these symptoms, indicating inflammation. These indicators suggest diverticulitis and warrant consultation with a healthcare professional.
Urgent Hospital Visit Signs
Certain symptoms signal severe diverticulitis, requiring immediate hospital evaluation. Sudden, rapidly worsening severe abdominal pain is a significant warning sign. This pain may indicate complications like perforation or abscess.
Persistent high fever (over 100.4°F or 38°C) suggests a widespread or serious infection. Severe nausea and vomiting, preventing liquid intake, can lead to dehydration or indicate bowel obstruction. Significant rectal bleeding warrants immediate medical assessment.
Severe abdominal tenderness, bloating, or rigid abdominal muscles can indicate peritonitis, a life-threatening inflammation of the abdominal lining. Inability to pass gas or have a bowel movement, with increasing abdominal pain and distension, may signal bowel obstruction.
What Happens at the Hospital
Upon hospital arrival for suspected severe diverticulitis, medical professionals conduct a physical examination to assess abdominal tenderness, distension, and signs of inflammation or infection. Blood tests check for infection markers, like an elevated white blood cell count, and evaluate overall health. These tests provide insights into the inflammatory process.
Imaging scans are an important diagnostic tool, with a CT scan of the abdomen and pelvis being most common. A CT scan confirms diverticulitis, identifies inflammation location and extent, and detects complications like abscesses, perforations, or fistulas. This imaging provides detailed views of the bowel and surrounding tissues.
Initial treatments focus on stabilizing the patient and addressing the infection. Intravenous (IV) fluids combat dehydration, especially with vomiting. Intravenous antibiotics are started immediately to target the bacterial infection. Pain management is also a priority, with medications to alleviate discomfort. Depending on severity and complications, hospital admission for close monitoring and continued treatment is necessary.
Why Prompt Care Matters
Seeking timely medical attention for severe diverticulitis is important to prevent serious complications. Delaying care can allow an abscess (a collection of pus) to grow, making it harder to treat. A bowel perforation, a hole in the intestinal wall, can lead to peritonitis, which may require emergency surgery.
Other complications include fistulas, abnormal connections between the intestine and other organs or skin. Bowel obstruction, a blocked passage of stool, can also arise from severe inflammation or scarring. Early diagnosis and intervention significantly reduce the risk of these complications, leading to better outcomes and potentially avoiding surgery.