Diverticular disease

Diverticulosis occurs when a weak part of the digestive tract wall bulges and forms a diverticulum (pouch) that protrudes out. Most of these diverticula (pouches) form in the lower colon, which is located on the lower left side of the abdomen (belly). Most people who have colonic diverticula find out about it after having a routine colon screening because diverticula of the colon rarely cause diverticulitis symptoms.

Diverticulitis is an infection or inflammation of diverticula. Colon diverticulitis is most common among people older than 60 and doesn’t often happen among people younger than 30.

Diverticulosis can happen at any place in the gastrointestinal tract (digestive tract), which includes the pharynx (throat), esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine (colon), rectum and anus.

Esophageal diverticulum

Diverticula of the esophagus (throat) usually don’t create diverticulitis symptoms or need diverticulitis treatment. Diverticulitis of the throat is rare and usually only affects people who are 70 or 80 years old.

Another name for diverticulosis that develops in the top part of the throat is Zenker’s diverticulum. Diverticulosis can also develop in other parts of the throat.

Unless they need to be removed surgically, diverticula in any part of the digestive tract don’t go away once they’ve formed.

What are diverticular disease & diverticulitis?

Diverticulosis becomes diverticular disease after one or more of the colonic diverticula (pouches) develop symptoms such as:

• Diverticulitis (inflammation or infection of diverticula) or diverticulitis complications
• Bleeding (can be severe and life-threatening)
• Chronic symptoms like bloating, constipation, diarrhea, or cramping or pain in the lower abdomen

Common colon diverticulitis symptoms

Common colon diverticulitis symptoms include:

• Abdominal pain
• Constipation or diarrhea
• Fevers and chills
• Nausea or vomiting

Colonic diverticulitis symptoms include pain that may start out mild and gradually get worse. Or the pain may be severe and occur suddenly. Colonic diverticulitis pain may also change over a period of time.

Complications of colon diverticulitis & diverticular disease

• Abscess: A painful, swollen area of infection that is pus-filled
• Fistula: An abnormal opening between a nearby organ and the colon
• Intestinal obstruction: A blockage of movement of contents through your intestines
• Perforation of the colon: A hole in the colon’s wall
• Peritonitis: An infection of the lining of the peritoneal cavity (abdomen)

Common esophageal diverticula symptoms

• Bad breath
• Chest or neck pain
• Chronic cough
• Difficulty swallowing
• Feeling that food is caught in the throat
• Pain when swallowing
• Regurgitating food
• Boyce’s sign – a gurgling sound caused when air passes through a diverticulum – is a symptom unique to diverticulitis of the throat.

Complications of throat diverticulitis

• Pneumonia from aspirating food into the lungs
• Squamous cell carcinoma (a rare cancer)
• obstruction that makes it hard to swallow

What causes diverticulitis & diverticula?

According to recent research, genetic or environmental factors are among the causes of colonic diverticula. Increased pressure in the colon is believed to lead to diverticula of the colon. Lifestyle factors that may lead to diverticula of the colon are:

• Diets low in fiber and high in red meat
• Lack of physical activity
• Obesity
• Smoking
• Use of some medicines such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and steroids

Diverticular disease & diverticulitis treatment

With prompt and effective diverticulitis treatment, most people recover from diverticulitis without developing complications. Changes in lifestyle and diet can largely prevent diverticulosis and diverticulitis symptoms.

For most people, doctors recommend gradually changing to a high-fiber diverticulitis diet including whole grains, fruits and vegetables. Drinking more water or juice, getting enough exercise, maintaining a healthy weight, limiting red meat, getting enough sleep, and avoiding smoking are other important factors in preventing diverticulitis or treating diverticulitis symptoms.

Recent research shows avoiding foods like popcorn, nuts and seeds is not necessary since they don’t contribute to colonic diverticulitis symptoms.

Your doctor may recommend over-the-counter stool softeners or other diverticulitis medicines to ensure soft stools that pass smoothly. They may also prescribe medicines for diverticulitis pain.

Other treatments for diverticulitis

If you continue to have diverticulitis symptoms after trying the methods above, you may need a liquid diet and antibiotics or other diverticulitis medicines. As your diverticulitis symptoms ease, you’ll be encouraged to gradually start a high-fiber diverticulitis diet again.

For severe or frequent diverticulitis symptoms, you may be admitted to the hospital so you can get diverticulitis IV fluids. While on this treatment, you’ll also be on a liquid or low-fiber diet.

Treatment for esophageal diverticula

Lifestyle changes that may ease symptoms of diverticulitis of the throat include:

• Chewing food thoroughly
• Drinking plenty of water during and after meals
• Eating a bland diet
• Taking small bites of food

Surgical treatments for diverticulitis

If severe diverticulitis symptoms don’t get better or if you have complications, surgical treatments for diverticulitis may include:

• Widening the top of the esophagus so food can pass more easily
• Making openings to the diverticula bigger so they drain more easily
• Removing a small part of the digestive tract that has the diverticula