Before we discuss the causes of bleeding diverticulum and how it should be distinguished from bleeding hemorrhoids, an understanding first of what a diverticular disease is important. Blood in stool, constipation and diarrhea are associated with hemorrhoids but there could be other causes which may be more alarming. A comprehensive diagnosis from a specialist will help determine the origin of the symptoms.

The large intestine or the colon stores and eliminates waste materials when needed. When a person becomes older, the pressure within the colon causes bulging pockets of tissue which is similar to pouches or sacs. A small pouch is called a diverticulum. The presence of many pouches in the colon is called diverticula. The abnormality is usually found throughout the colon but more common near the end of the left colon called the sigmoid colon. When this condition happens, a person is said to have diverticulosis. Diverticulitis and diverticulosis are also called diverticular disease. Based on studies, 10% of Americans over the age of 40 have this condition while 50% of people who are 60 years old and above have diverticulosis.

People with a diverticular disease may encounter few or no symptoms at all. Usually the disease is only detected when a patient undergo tests for other intestinal problems. The most common symptoms of the diverticular disease include abdominal pain, constipation and diarrhea. These symptoms are felt due to the difficulty of passing stool along the left colon since the area is inflamed or narrowed by so many diverticulum.

Some patients may feel some tenderness around the left side of the lower abdomen. Fever, nausea, vomiting, cramping and chills could also occur if the cause is infection. Administering antibiotics should cure these symptoms. To treat diarrhea and constipation, a controlled and monitored fiber diet is recommended.

Other complications which may become life threatening are obstruction in the colon, diverticulitis, collection of pus in the pelvis, generalized infection of the abdominal cavity or bacterial peritonitis, and bleeding colon. The severity of the symptoms depends on the extent of the infection and complications.

Bleeding diverticulum is a rare complication but it should be immediately addressed by your health care provider. If you have a bloody stool, the color may vary from red, dark or maroon-colored blood. There are times that bleeding may be severe, continuous or intermittent. It could also last for several days. If you don’t have any hemorrhoids or other intestinal problems, then it could be due to bleeding diverticula. For some patients where bleeding doesn’t stop, a surgery is necessary. According to experts, bleeding in the diverticula is caused by a small blood vessel in a diverticulum that weakens and finally bursts.

Hospitalization is required for patients suffering from continuous bleeding. Intravenous fluids and blood transfusions are given to keep the blood pressure normal and prevent more blood loss. A person may experience a drop in the blood pressure, dizziness, shock and loss of consciousness if no immediate medical intervention is given.

Trackback URI | Comments RSS