Diverticulitis is more serious and symptoms can include: Pain in the abdomen (usually in the lower-left side)
Diverticulitis refers to inflammation of the diverticula, which are small pouches that form in the colon lining. Ulcerative colitis (UC) is an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) where people develop inflammation and ulcers in the lining of the large intestine.
The ulcerative colitis process within the mucosa of the diverticula results in diverticulitis, a distinctly different entity from conventional diverticulitis. The diverticula may perforate; localized abscesses or peritonitis may develop; or other complications inherent in either disease may appear.
It is possible that diverticulitis may initiate inflammatory changes which resemble Crohn's disease histologically, but do not carry the clinical implications of chronic inflammatory bowel disease.
“Generally speaking, inflammation from diverticulitis can cause scar tissue formation and breakdown of the colon wall, and if the colon wall develops a hole, then an abscess will form,” warns Will Bulsiewicz, MD, a gastroenterologist and gut health expert in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina.
Most of the time, diverticulitis is uncomplicated, which means that inflammation and possible infection are the extents of the problem. It heals easily with the right treatment.
Although ulcerative colitis usually isn't fatal, it's a serious disease. In some cases, ulcerative colitis may cause life-threatening complications.
In Microscopic Colitis, the bowel lining usually appears normal during colonoscopy. However, when biopsies (tissue samples) are taken from the bowel lining and examined under a microscope, changes in the lining can be seen – hence the name Microscopic Colitis.
If you've had stomach pain for a while and see blood when you poop, you might have ulcerative colitis (UC) or diverticulitis. The two conditions are different, but some of their symptoms can be the same because they're both conditions in the large intestine or colon.
Diverticulitis can usually be treated at home with antibiotics prescribed by a GP. You can take paracetamol to help relieve any pain. Talk to a GP if paracetamol alone is not working. Do not take aspirin or ibuprofen, as they can cause stomach upsets.
Mild diverticulitis can usually be treated at home with antibiotics prescribed by your GP. More serious cases may need hospital treatment to prevent and treat complications. Surgery to remove the affected section of the intestine is sometimes recommended if there have been serious complications, although this is rare.
Where do people feel ulcerative colitis pain? Ulcerative colitis (UC) involves inflammation of the lining of the large intestine. People with UC tend to experience pain in the left side of the abdomen or in the rectum. The severity and frequency of pain vary depending on the extent of the inflammation.
Diagnosis and Tests
These are likely to include blood tests, stool tests and imaging tests to look at your colon. In particular, endoscopic tests that visualize the inside of your colon with a lighted scope can be helpful in diagnosing the type of colitis you have.
Aminosalicylates. Aminosalicylates, also known as 5-ASAs, are medicines that help to reduce inflammation. This in turn allows damaged tissue to heal. They're usually the first treatment option for mild or moderate ulcerative colitis.
CT is the primary screening modality for patients suspected of having colitis. The enhancement pattern, degree of mural thickening, and the length of colon involvement are important imaging features for diagnosis of colitis.
If you have ulcerative colitis (UC), your life expectancy is pretty much the same as someone without it. Getting the right medical care is the key to preventing complications, including some that could be life-threatening. Medicine, changes to your diet, and surgery can help you stay well.
Contact your provider if: You develop ongoing abdominal pain, new or increased bleeding, fever that does not go away, or other symptoms of ulcerative colitis. You have ulcerative colitis and your symptoms worsen or do not improve with treatment. You develop new symptoms.
Call your healthcare provider immediately if you notice your loved one is having more than six bowel movements per day that include a lot of blood, accompanied by any one of the following: a fast heart rate, a fever, a low temperature, and signs of anemia (such as feeling tired and shortness of breath).
Diverticulitis doesn't affect the life expectancy of most people with the condition. While complications from diverticulitis can be fatal, this outcome is not common. Diverticular disease is a common condition, especially in people over age 60.
Probiotics combined with mesalazine have also emerged as an alternative potential therapeutic strategy in preventing recurrent attacks of diverticulitis. One series reported that treatment with mesalazine and/or lactobacillus casei induced remission in 88% of their patients at a median follow-up of 2 years.
Once diverticula form, they do not disappear by themselves. Fortunately, most patients with diverticulosis do not have symptoms, and therefore do not need treatment.