Diverticulitis
Colorectal Surgery located in San Antonio, TX
Diverticulitis is a common digestive system problem that’s increasingly likely to develop as you age. If you have diverticulitis symptoms like abdominal pain and constipation, contact experienced colorectal surgeon Tamara J. Merchant-McCambry, MD, at Lone Star Colon & Rectal Surgery and Clinical Services of San Antonio. Dr. Merchant-McCambry offers noninvasive and surgical solutions to suit each patient’s needs. Call the office in San Antonio, Texas, or book an appointment online today to receive prompt, effective diverticulitis treatment.
Diverticulitis is a gastrointestinal condition affecting the colon (large bowel). It can cause abdominal pain and digestive problems.
Diverticula are pouches that form in the tissues lining your bowel. Many people have these pouches without experiencing symptoms (diverticulosis). Diverticulitis develops when the diverticula become inflamed or infected.
This usually happens when food passing through the bowel is trapped in the diverticula, creating a perfect breeding place for bacteria.
Anyone can get diverticulitis, but you’re at a higher risk if you consume a low-fiber diet. Your risk increases as you age.
Diverticulitis can cause:
These symptoms resemble other gastrointestinal disorders like inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Dr. Merchant-McCambry completes a medical history review and physical exam to accurately diagnose your condition. She might take a blood sample for lab testing and refer you for diagnostic imaging, like a CT scan of your abdomen.
You might need a colonoscopy to examine the tissues more thoroughly and obtain a sample (biopsy). This procedure involves inserting a slender, flexible pipe (colonoscope) into your rectum. The colonoscope is fitted with a camera on its tip that sends images of your bowel to a screen for Dr. Merchant-McCambry to assess.
Mild diverticulitis is treatable with oral antibiotics, dietary changes, and stool softeners. You might need surgery if you experience repeated attacks of diverticulitis or develop complications like:
Some patients need a primary bowel resection. Dr. Merchant-McCambry removes the diseased parts of your intestine and then reconnects the healthy ends. This approach enables you to have natural bowel movements.
If there’s so much inflammation that it’s impossible to reconnect your colon and rectum, Dr. Merchant-McCambry performs a bowel resection with colostomy. She makes an opening (stoma) in your abdomen and connects it to the healthy bowel. Instead of emptying your bowels through the anus, you pass waste into a bag outside your body.
Call Lone Star Colon & Rectal Surgery and Clinical Services of San Antonio or book an appointment online today to receive expert diverticulitis diagnosis and treatment.
Mild diverticulitis is treatable with oral antibiotics, dietary changes, and stool softeners. You might need surgery if you experience repeated attacks of diverticulitis or develop complications like:
Some patients need a primary bowel resection. Dr. Merchant-McCambry removes the diseased parts of your intestine and then reconnects the healthy ends. This approach enables you to have natural bowel movements.
If there’s so much inflammation that it’s impossible to reconnect your colon and rectum, Dr. Merchant-McCambry performs a bowel resection with colostomy. She makes an opening (stoma) in your abdomen and connects it to the healthy bowel. Instead of emptying your bowels through the anus, you pass waste into a bag outside your body.
Call Lone Star Colon & Rectal Surgery and Clinical Services of San Antonio or book an appointment online today to receive expert diverticulitis diagnosis and treatment.