Diverticulitis on the rise among young Americans: Know its meaning, symptoms and treatment

There's no time better than now to become mindful of what, when and how you eat. The gut is one of the most powerful yet weak parts of the body and any kind of problem in it, can lead to diseases and conditions that can be fatal.

According to researchers from UCLA and Vanderbilt University, diverticulitis, a condition that was previously common among Americans older than 50 has reversed into being a more common diagnosis among those younger than 50.

Diverticulitis on the rise among young Americans
They found that the proportion of patients younger than 50 admitted to the hospital with severe diverticulitis increased by more than half, rising from just under 19% in 2005 to more than 28% in 2020.

For the study published in Diseases in the Colon & Rectum, where they have mentioned their findings, researchers analysed records of more than 5.2 million hospitalisations in the US. Of these, about 16% patients were "early onset" cases in people younger than 50. The number of such cases rose by 52% during the study period.

"While younger patients generally have better survival outcomes and shorter hospitalisations, they're paradoxically more likely to need invasive interventions," said lead researcher Shineui Kim, a fourth-year medical student at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA. "This suggests their disease may be more aggressive or that treatment approaches differ based on patient age and overall health status."

What is Diverticulitis?
Diverticulitis involves the formation of small pouches that form at the weak spots along the wall of the colon. It is more common after the age of 50 and most often does not cause problems.

However, when these pouches become inflamed, it can lead to severe pain, fever, nausea and changes in stool habits, as per Mayo Clinic.

Diverticulitis: What are the symptoms?
The most common symptom of diverticulitis is pain in the abdomen, particularly the lower left abdomen. Other signs include nausea, fever, bloating, tenderness in the abdomen and sudden diarrhoea or constipation.

Diverticulitis: How to treat?
Symptoms of the condition are often similar to irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and thus consulting a professional is vital. A doctor might ask for a blood test or a stool sample and to confirm the diagnosis, a colonoscopy or a CT scan might be required.

According to NHS UK, painkillers such as paracetamol, bulk-forming laxatives for constipation and diarrhoea and antispasmodics for stomach cramps are typically advised to alleviate symptoms of diverticulitis.

However, the condition is treated with the help of antibiotics, painkillers and in severe cases surgery.

Note: The information provided in this article is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new medication or treatment.