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Doctor insights on: What Is The Difference Between Colitis And Diverticulitis

Very different: Colitis is inflammation of the colon. It is commonly seen with inflammatory disease of the colon (ulcerative colitis). Any area of the colon can become inflamed with this. Diverticulosis is having small pockets that poke out of the bowel wall. Diverticulosis is when one of these pockets gets infected or inflamed. This is usually more localized, like in the left sigmoid colon.

Your doctor: Your doctor can talk to you about the differences between colitis and diverticulitis. Diverticulitis is an inflammation of the outpouching in the colon. Diverticular disease is an abnormal but common finding in the large intestine. Colitis is general inflammation of the entire large intestine.

Same work up!: When you have crampy abdominal pain with fevers or chills you can be diagnosed with colitis. Colitis is inflammation of the colon and can be due to infection, inflammatory bowel diseases or blood supply issues. Diverticulitis is caused when a small pocket in the colon pops and bacteria spills outside the wall of the colon. Ct scan is the best diagnostic tool.

No.....: Not yet......you can control it. May be when stem cell therapy will be available...

No: These are two completely separate conditions although one patient can have both diagnoses at some point in time. It is very important to have a colonoscopy and GI/surgical evaluation to make the correct diagnosis as the treatments (medical and surgical) are very different.

Posssibly: Could also be bladder or pelvic organs please call your gyn, the gyn can start the workup, u may need also to see a GI specilaist.

Being sick: What is your heart rate? How often are you peeing? Any pain that is intractable? Are your lips chapped? Are you dizzy. The right answer in most class is not to go to the er, but to contact or see your family physician first.

Call your doctor: If you have a diagnosis of diverticulits and colitis you obviously have a GI doctor. Make and appointment and get checked. You have symptoms which tell me your colon is not normal.

Colitis: I believe that your present symptoms are more typical of a colitis due to a viral intestinal tract infection rather than acute diverticulitis. Treatment would consist of rest, avoidance of harsh roughage, intake of adequate room temperature fluids and use of kaopectate to control diarrhea. Imodium to be taken only for severe diarrhea If symptoms worsen instead of gradually improving, see your MD

Confirm the dx: You first have to make sure that the diagnosis is correct. Diverticular associated colitis is a real entity, but it is less common than ulcerative colitis or crohn's disease. If a gastroenterologist confirmed that diagnosis with colonoscopy and biopsy, then sometimes antibiotics, such as Cipro (ciprofloxacin) and Flagyl may not work to stop the diarrhea. Other treatment options are possible.

Separate issue: Not more prone than the next individual. Are more prone to colon cancer-risk increases with duration of and extent of disease. Will need more frequent surveillance colonoscopies than other folks.

Rectal bleeding: Are these diagnoses made by professionals? You need to have it checked, see a gastroenterologist.

It could be: Either or both, especially if you have diarrhea. Have your doctor check stool for occult blood, which can tell if the red color is blood or not.

Too complex: This is too complex and too long of a problem to be able to cover in this setting. See your doctor/surgeon.

At age 61: Would suggest CT scan NOT SUFFICIENT to rule out bowel disorders. You need a screening Endoscopic exam....by a qualified Gastroenterologist. ..Hope this is helpful Dr Z

Unusual: At your age, and common with aging. You must be symptomatic if you are getting studied. Diverticula, diverticulosis, then irritation called diverticulitis. Your doctor will make dietary recommendations, and you may need colonoscopy to be sure no other issues.

CouldBe Any Of These: You can not tell if it is your colitis or it is Gastroenteritis.Divertculitis does not normally present like diarrea and floating stools. I suggest you drink plenty fluids to avoid dehydration and get it checked by your doctor or a Gatroenterologist

Maybe HSV, not VZV: Shingles rarely recurs so frequently, but HSV2 (genital herpes) can do so, with recurrences anywhere from waist to upper thighs ("boxer shorts" area). 1) Retest next outbreak to confirm varicella zoster virus (VZV), and also PCR test for HSV. 2) Have an HSV IgG antibody test, expecting maybe positive for HSV2. 3) Continue valacylovir to prevent recurrences, whatever the cause. The drugs is entirely nontoxic, no reason not to take it as long as necessary. Good luck!

Yes: These are two different problem. Diverticulosis means pockets in colon specially in sigmoid part but these pockets are not infected. When infected called diverticulitis. Colitis is infection or inflammation of inner lining of the colon.

Colitits: Those medications and that condition make it important to eat carefully but doesn't have to be BRAT diet (Banans, Rice, Applesauce, Toast) just nothing greasy or spicy or hard to digest - soups, rice, pasta, crackers, yogurt, etc- avoid any fast foods