What Happens If Diverticulitis Goes Untreated?

Many people live with diverticulosis, which is extremely common as you age. In fact, half of the population over the age of 80 has diverticulosis. However, there is a concern when diverticulitis, the worsening effect of the original condition, occurs. If left untreated, it could cause problems. 

Boca Care Surgical Associates offers non-invasive surgical treatment for diverticulitis. Avraham Belizon, MD, FACS, FASCRS, is happy to provide patients with all the information they might require to make the best decisions for their care, including the risk factors associated with untreated diverticulitis. 

Diverticulitis: how and why it occurs 

Diverticulosis is the condition where small sacs form in the walls of your large intestines. This is very common for people to experience as they age, but it isn’t inherently a problem. Many patients are able to avoid serious side effects and live comfortably with diverticulosis. 

However, diverticulitis is a condition that occurs when the sacs become inflamed or infected. This can lead to some serious side effects. If possible, you’ll want to avoid diverticulitis altogether. But it’s essential to look for specific symptoms if it does occur. 

These can include abdominal pain (especially on the upper left side), nausea, vomiting, constipation, and fever. These are signs of infection, and while the body will attempt to fight them off, the situation can worsen severely if you don’t get treatment. 

What happens without treatment for diverticulitis 

If you don’t get treatment for diverticulitis, the inflammation will only worsen. Once infection sets in, the symptoms will get more painful and severe. In addition, you could experience other serious side effects such as a tear in or a stricture (narrowing) of the colon, an abscess, a fistula, or peritonitis. 

Severe pain, high fever, and blood in your stool are all signs that your condition has become a medical emergency. But it’s better to avoid this kind of dangerous outcome. Instead, if you know you have diverticulitis, get treatment before things worsen. 

Treatment for diverticulitis 

There are multiple ways to treat diverticulitis. First, if the condition is mild or has just begun to occur, you may be able to change your diet to introduce more fiber and avoid foods that might irritate or inflame the sacs (or diverticula). This can be a great way to manage and maintain the condition if it’s mild.

If you’re already dealing with an infection, you’ll need to take medication. But in the case of severe infection and inflammation, minimally invasive surgery is often the answer. Dr. Belizon removes the damaged parts of your colon (including the inflamed diverticula) with surgical tools. He uses a camera on a scope to see the area through a small incision. 

With this treatment, you can avoid the serious side effects of diverticulitis, recover from the inflammation, and start to heal. However, if you already have an inflamed diverticula and don’t want the situation to worsen, we recommend surgery. 

Do I need surgery for diverticulitis?

Every patient is different. Some are able to get better with only a few lifestyle changes or a medication regimen, while others may need this surgical intervention. But don’t worry; the treatment is mild, and you’ll be able to recover quicker and easier because of the minimally invasive nature of the procedure.

Call us today to make an appointment at our Boca Raton, Florida office. We’d be happy to discuss any treatments necessary to keep you healthy and avoid any serious side effects of diverticulitis.