Diverticulitis: What You Need to Know When It Affects a Family Member

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What Is Diverticulitis?

According to WebMD: Diverticulitis happens when pouches (diverticula) form in the wall of the colon. If these pouches get inflamed or infected, it is called diverticulitis. Diverticulitis can be very painful.

What Causes This?

It’s not for certain what exactly causes this in the colon and intestines, but doctors think that it may be due to a low fiber diet. Fiber helps add bulk to your stool, and without it the colon works harder than it has to.  The extra pressure causes pouches to form in the weak spots of the colon.

Symptoms To Look For

• Belly pain, usually in the lower left side, that is sometimes worse when you move. This is the most common symptom.
• Fever and chills.
• Bloating and gas.
• Diarrhea or constipation.
• Nausea and sometimes vomiting.
• Not feeling like eating.

Diagnosis

Tests are performed such as blood tests to determine if there are any other infections present. Then a CT (CAT) scan or an X-Ray to make sure there are no other problems or obstructions.

What Is The Treatment?

This is where it can get tricky.  For some people this doesn’t progress past some mild cramps or nausea. However, for others it can get pretty bad. For instance, My cousin Joey is currently suffering from this, and this post is dedicated to him.  Treatment can include:

For Mild Symptoms:

• Use a heating pad, set on low, on your belly.
• Relax. For example, try meditation or slow, deep breathing in a quiet room.
• Take medicine, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol, for example).

If Diverticulitis is not treated promptly surgical intervention may deem necessary.

Prevention:

• Eat a high fiber diet:  including whole grains, fresh fruits, and vegetables
• Drink Plenty of Water
• Exercise

When It Affects a Family Member

My cousin Joey, was diagnosed with Diverticulitis approximately 5 months ago. Things went from bad to worse rather quickly.  Here’s a brief description of what’s happening:

Giuseppe was diagnosed five months ago with Diverticulitis and the road to recovery has been extremely difficult.

In September Giuseppe was rushed to the hospital in extreme pain.  There he was told that one of the pouches had burst, and the infection had spread throughout his body.  He needed emergency surgery to save his life.  The doctors had to literally “Clean Out” the whole inside of his body.  They had temporarily attached a Colostomy bag, which was supposed to be removed in January.  

However, the insurance company will not pay for this procedure, along with many other services and tests that needed to be done.  The hospital will not schedule the reversal surgery if the insurance will not help pay.   Giuseppe has lost his job from being in and out of the hospital and the surgery.  It has been a rough 5 months for him.  There is no way he can pay the large amounted hospital bills nor the new ones.  

We are trying to raise this money to help cover the already owed hospital bills, plus the reversal surgery.  This is the most stress he has been dealing with in his entire life.  He is young and has an entire life ahead of him.  Can you please help him get back that life he once had?  Can you help him lead a normal life?

Thank You and God Bless!

Below is his GiveForward fundraising widget. We are trying to raise $250,000 to cover his hospital bills and his reversal surgery. If you can not donate please share! What happened with Joey is the worst case scenario of Diverticulitis. Let us raise awareness and help him get back to a normal life!

(Sources for information have been provided by WebMd.com)

Maria

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