Diverticular Disease
Diverticular disease affects the colon. It is made up of two conditions: diverticulosis and diverticulitis. Diverticulosis occurs when pouches, called diverticula, form in the colon. These pouches bulge out like weak spots in a tire. Diverticulitis occurs if the pouches become inflamed. Doctors are not sure what causes diverticular disease. Many think a diet low in fiber is the main cause. Fiber stays in the colon and absorbs water, which makes bowel movements easier to pass. Diets low in fiber may cause constipation, which occurs when stools are hard and difficult to pass. Constipation causes your muscles to strain when you pass stool. Straining may cause diverticula to form in the colon. If stool or bacteria get caught in the pouches, diverticulitis can occur.
Most people with the disease do not have serious problems, but some people have severe symptoms. Diverticulitis can attack suddenly and cause bleeding, serious infections, rips in the pouches, fistula, which is a connection or passage between tissues or organs in the body that normally do not connect, blockage in your digestive system, an infection in which the colon ruptures causing stool to empty from the colon into the abdomen. The symptoms for diverticulosis and diverticulitis are different. With Diverticulosis many people don’t have symptoms, but some people have cramping, bloating, and constipation. Some people also have bleeding, inflammation, and fistulas. If you are bleeding, bright red blood will pass through your rectum. Rectal bleeding is usually painless, but it can be dangerous. People with diverticulitis can have many symptoms. Often pain is felt in the lower part of the abdomen. If you have diverticulitis, you may have fevers, feel sick to your stomach, vomit, or have a change in your bowel habits. Many people get diverticular disease. Starting at age 40, the chance of getting it increases about every 10 years. About half of people between the ages of 60 and 80 have diverticular disease. Almost everyone over 80 has it.
The Essay on Sickle Cell Disease
Sickle-Cell Anemia is a genetic blood disorder caused by the presence of an abnormal form of hemoglobin. These hemoglobin molecules tend to aggregate after unloading oxygen forming long, rod-like structures that force the red cells to assume a sickle shape. Unlike normal red cells, which are usually smooth and malleable, the sickle red cells cannot squeeze through small blood vessels. When the ...
Doctors can test for diverticular disease many ways. A CT scan is the most common test used. Other tests include taking your medical history. The doctor will ask about your health and symptoms such as pain. You will be asked about your bowel habits, diet, and any medications you take. Blood test, this test can help detect infections. Stool sample, this test may show bleeding in the digestive tract. Digital rectal exam, the doctor will insert a gloved finger into your rectum to check for pain, bleeding, or a blockage. X ray and barium enema, the doctor will insert liquid called barium in the large intestine through your anus. The barium makes the diverticula show up on an x ray. Colonoscopy, the doctor will insert a small tube through your anus. A tiny video camera is in the tube and will show if there are any pouches.
Treatment for diverticular disease depends on how serious the problem is and whether you are suffering from diverticulosis or diverticulitis. Most people get better by changing their diet. If you have rectal bleeding, you need to go to the hospital so a doctor can find the part of your colon that is bleeding. The doctor may use a special drug that makes the bleeding stop. The doctor may also decide to operate and remove the part of the colon that is bleeding. For diverticulosis eating high-fiber foods can help relieve symptoms. Sometimes mild pain medications also help. For diverticulitis a doctor may prescribe antibiotics and recommend following a liquid diet. Most people get better with this treatment. Some people may need surgery and other treatments. Serious problems from diverticulitis are treated with surgery. Surgeons can clean the abdomen after infections and remove bleeding pouches and fistulas. If you get diverticulitis many times, your doctor might suggest taking out the part of the colon with diverticula. The healthy sections can be joined together. With the diverticula gone, you may avoid other infections. If you have severe problems, you may need emergency surgery to clear the infection and remove part of the colon. Later, a second surgery rejoins the healthy sections of the colon. The colon is separated for a brief time between surgeries, because rejoining the colon during the first surgery is not always safe. A temporary colostomy is needed between the two surgeries. A colostomy is an opening made on the abdomen where a plastic bag is connected to collect stool after food is digested. The surgeon makes the opening, called a stoma, and connects it to the end of the colon.
The Essay on Roman Medicine Doctors Romans Surgery
The Romans used both scientific and mythological methods in their medicine. By adopting the methods of Greek medicine; the Romans obtained a solid foundation. They copied Hippocrates, who separated the study of medicine from philosophy and had an overall approach to the health of humans. Hippocrates also observed the habits and environment of humans to accurately determine illnesses and discover ...
I wrote about this disease because in my line of work I code electronic medical records and diverticulosis or diverticulitis is always popping up on my charts. I had no idea what is was until I read up and wrote this paper about it
