Unexpected, severe abdominal pain on the lower left side of your abdomen is one of the most common symptoms of diverticulitis, an acute inflammatory condition that affects the large intestine. Long Island Gastroenterology Specialists in North Wantagh, and South Wantagh, New York, is a full-service gastroenterology practice that provides comprehensive care for diverticulitis. To get relief from your abdominal pain, call the office nearest you or schedule an appointment online today.
Diverticulitis is inflammation of diverticula. Diverticula are pouches or bulges that form on the wall of the large intestine.
When you have diverticula, you have diverticulosis, a common chronic digestive disorder that usually causes no symptoms or problems.
However, if stool or debris gets stuck in a pouch, bacteria may grow, causing inflammation and infection.
You can have diverticulosis and never develop diverticulitis.
Unexpected, severe pain on the lower left side of the abdomen is the most common symptom of diverticulitis. The pain is constant and lasts for days.
Other symptoms include:
If you have any of these symptoms, schedule an appointment with the experts at Long Island Gastroenterology Specialists. Diverticulitis is an infection, and when it’s left untreated, it may lead to more serious complications.
Your provider at Long Island Gastroenterology Specialists conducts a thorough evaluation when you come in with concerns about abdominal pain. Diverticulitis symptoms are similar to other digestive disorders, and your provider may need to rule out other conditions before diagnosing you with diverticulitis.
Your provider reviews your symptoms and medical history and does a physical examination. They also run bloodwork to check for signs of infection, as well as a stool test and a CT scan.
Long Island Gastroenterology Specialists customizes your diverticulitis treatment plan based on the severity of your infection.
In most cases, the gastroenterologists recommend antibiotics and a diet of clear liquids. This helps treat the infection while giving your bowel a chance to heal. Your provider then advances your diet slowly over several days.
For severe diverticulitis, Long Island Gastroenterology Specialists recommends hospitalization to get you on intravenous (IV) antibiotics, and also so they can quickly manage complications, like an abscess or perforation.
Some patients may require surgery to remove the diseased portion of the bowel.
The gastroenterologists at Long Island Gastroenterology Specialists take a team approach to care, ensuring you get the best possible outcomes.
To schedule a consultation with the highly skilled physicians at Long Island Gastroenterology Specialists, call or book online today.