Living with diverticulitis starts with recognizing when to call the doctor. Contact your health care provider immediately if you have been diagnosed with diverticulitis, or suspect you have it, and have anal bleeding along with signs of shock such as

* Lightheadedness, restlessness, confusion, or signs of fear* Shallow or rapid breathing* Moist, cool skin and perhaps profuse sweating* A feeling of being weak* Excessive thirst* Nausea and/or vomiting* Abnormal increase in heart rate or an abnormal decrease in blood pressure* A change in consciousness, the person doesn’t respond, has a loss of consciousness, or changes in behavior* Facial pallor and/or lips or ear lobes may be blue.

Shock occurs when someone has lost too much blood. If you notice any of these signs call 911 immediately.

You should also call your health care provider if you’re experiencing fever or chills, nausea and vomiting, have unusual changes in your bowel movement or abdominal swelling, if you have blood in your stools, or if you experience pain which worsens when you move or when you urinate. Also call and schedule an appointment if you have an abnormal vaginal discharge and you have diverticulitis or suspect that you do.

Other signs which signal immediate need for medical attention in an individual with diverticulitis is if they have severe pain in the abdomen that gets progressively worse, or pain that gets worse when the individual coughs. Other danger signs which need immediate medical attention include passing a stool which is mostly blood, stool that’s maroon-colored liquid, clots of blood in the stool or a bowel movement which looks black or tarlike, or if you experience shoulder pain, have cramping in your abdomen that doesn’t get better, or pass gas or stool from your urethra while urinating.

During the initial diagnosis and follow up care an individual with diverticulitis will have to endure many medical appointments and tests including complete blood count (CBC), a urinalysis, an abdominal x-ray, a digital rectal exam, and a fecal occult blood test.

Depending on the symptoms presented, your healthcare professional may also order these tests:

A computed tomography (CT) scans, a barium enema x-ray, a flexible sigmoidoscopy and colonoscopy, as well as an upper gastrointestinal (UGI) series, an upper gastrointestinal endoscopy, a technetium-labeled red blood cell bleeding scan, or an angiogram.

When an individual with diverticulitis is receiving initial treatment, they may have to take antibiotics and pain relievers, and have a change in diet that starts with clear liquids or a bland diet followed by learning how to increase fiber content in the diet slowly.

Individuals with diverticulitis may have to be hospitalized if the symptoms of diverticulitis worsen, if they’re unable to eat or drink, or if they need antibiotics in a vein (intravenous, or IV). Surgery is often needed when sections of the colon have been destroyed, or if there are any complications from diverticulitis such as peritonitis or a total blockage.

Ongoing treatment is usually necessary for the individual with diverticulitis such as regulating the diet to gradually increase the fiber, get plenty of fluids daily, and have regular doctor appointments to monitor the condition.

To help prevent diverticulitis attacks, be careful to eat a diet high in fiber, low in fat and red meat, drink plenty of water each day, and to exercise regularly.

Dee Braun, a single mom of 6, is a Certified Aromatherapist, Certified Dr. of Reflexology and a natural health practitioner. Click now to visit Health or High Water at http://www.healthorhighwater.com/ – where you will find tons of helpful information on ways to improve your health using natural & effective nutritional supplements to help battle the ravages of time, poor nutrition, toxins and stress as well as address many common health ailments and conditions.

** You are free to use/reprint this article as long as the Author information/bio AND any links within the article stay active and in tact!

Living With Diverticulitis – Knowing When to Call a Doctor

Tags: individual coughs, facial pallor, medical appointments, blood in the stool, healthcare professional, shoulder pain

1,788 Responses to “Living With Diverticulitis – Knowing When to Call a Doctor”