Frequent, severe abdominal pain could be a sign of a condition known as diverticulitis. Your gastroenterologist is an expert at diagnosis and treatment of diverticulitis. Dr. George Tan at Vegas Digestive Health Center in Las Vegas, NV, offers a full range of GI services, including diagnosis and treatment of diverticulitis.
What You Need To Know About Diverticulitis
As you age, the walls of your colon become weaker, and tissue can poke through the colon walls. These small areas of tissue are known as diverticula. These diverticula can become inflamed, causing the painful gastrointestinal condition known as diverticulitis. You may have diverticulitis if you experience:
- Fever
- Chills and shaking
- Moderate to severe abdominal pain
- Moderate to severe abdominal cramping
- Changes in your bowel habits
- Diarrhea, bloating, or constipation
- Blood in your stool
Several foods can make diverticulitis worse. If you have diverticulitis, you should avoid:
- Red meat
- Processed meats
- Fried foods
- Full-fat dairy
- High sugar-content foods
Diverticulitis should be treated and managed by a gastroenterologist. When you visit the gastroenterologist, laboratory testing and imaging studies including a CT scan may be ordered. To treat diverticulitis, your gastroenterologist may recommend:
- Antibiotics to reduce symptoms
- Probiotics and fiber supplements
- A liquid diet to reduce symptoms
Your gastroenterologist will advise you when to begin eating solid foods. You can eat:
- Eggs
- Pasta, rice, and white bread
- Cooked vegetables with the skin removed
- Fruit with the skin and seeds removed
- Lean meats including chicken and fish
Want To Know More About Diverticulitis?
Diverticulitis requires the help of a specialist. Your gastroenterologist can get you on the road to enjoying good health and the foods you love. To find out more about the causes, signs, symptoms, and treatment of diverticulitis, call Dr. George Tan at Vegas Digestive Health Center in Las Vegas, NV. You can reach him in the office by calling (702) 625-8989, so call today.