How Diverticulitis Affects the Sigmoid Colon
Medically reviewed by Jay N. Yepuri, MD
The digestive system relies on the colon to pull water, nutrients, and electrolytes from partially digested food, leaving the rest as waste. Diverticulitis occurs when sacs form throughout the colon and push through weak spots of the colon wall, leading to inflammation and infection. Diverticulitis is most commonly found in the S-shaped part of the intestines, known as the sigmoid colon.
This article discusses the colon, how it works, and how diverticulitis can affect this part of the digestive system.
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Understanding How the Colon Works
The colon is a vital part of the digestive system. Otherwise known as the large bowel or large intestine, the colon plays various roles in digestion, including:
Absorbing water, nutrients, and electrolytes from partially digested food
Breaking down the remaining food material
Moving what is left over, known as waste or stool, into the rectum
When the food has made its way through the colon, the body can excrete it.
Sigmoid Colon Definition
The sigmoid colon is the S-shaped part of the large intestine that connects to the rectum.
The Sigmoid Colon and Diverticulitis
Diverticulitis is a condition that develops when diverticula, the small sacs that can form in the large intestine, push through weakened areas of the colon wall. These sacs become inflamed and infected. Though diverticula can form throughout the intestines, they are most likely to develop in the sigmoid colon.
The presence of diverticula doesn’t necessarily signal an issue, and many people can have these pouches without experiencing any adverse effects on their health.
It’s only a problem when these sacs become inflamed. The symptoms and adverse health effects of diverticulitis can be severe.
How Common Is Diverticulitis?
Diverticulitis affects many individuals and is considered one of the most prevalent types of bowel issues that result in a visit to the emergency room. Roughly 3.8% of people visiting the ER due to abdominal pain have diverticulitis.
Related: What’s the Difference Between Diverticulitis and Diverticulosis?
Signs of Diverticulitis
When a person develops diverticulitis in the sigmoid colon, they may develop acute symptoms such as:
Pain in the lower left side of the abdomen
Pain that comes on suddenly and feels severe or pain that begins mildly and continues to worsen over a few days
Pain that changes in intensity
Gastrointestinal issues such as diarrhea or constipation
Nausea
Vomiting
If the symptoms are not addressed, complications can become life-threatening.
In some cases, diverticulitis can become severe and lead to dangerous health complications, including:
Abscess in the pouches, which is a collection of pus that occurs due to an infection
Pylephlebitis, which is inflammation of a vein in the abdomen known as the portal vein
Bowel obstruction, which is a blockage in the intestines
Hemorrhage, which is bleeding from the area
Fistulas, which are abnormal connections (e.g., if the intestine attaches to an organ by mistake)
Learn More: What Does a Diverticulitis Attack Feel Like?
How Is Diverticulitis Diagnosed?
The steps for diagnosing diverticulitis are:
Taking an account of your medical history
Performing a physical exam
Ordering the appropriate tests
For your medical history, your medical provider will want to know your symptoms, what you eat and drink, and your bowel habits. During the medical history collection, they must also note existing health conditions and medications.
During the physical exam, your medical provider will listen for sounds in your abdomen that could help them determine what tests you need and press on areas of the stomach to feel for any mass of tissue or areas of tenderness. After they have done that, they will order tests.
Some tests that diagnose diverticulitis include:
Blood tests
Stool sample tests to check for other possible causes of the symptoms
Computed tomography (CT) scans, ultrasounds, or MRIs to get a better look at the abdomen for any structural issues
After testing, a medical provider may want to perform a colonoscopy to confirm whether a person has diverticulitis or something else. A colonoscopy involves using a scope (a long and narrow tube with a camera attached to the end of it) to go through the intestines and check for issues.
Sigmoidoscopy and Sigmoid Diverticulitis
Sometimes, a medical provider will perform a sigmoidoscopy if they suspect the sigmoid is affected. It is the same type of procedure as a colonoscopy but only checks the sigmoid area.
Learn More: Diverticulitis and Colonoscopy: What to Know
Other Conditions That Impact the Sigmoid Colon
Several health conditions other than diverticulitis can impact the integrity of the sigmoid colon, including:
Hirschsprung disease
Inflammatory bowel diseases, such as ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease
Volvulus, in which the colon twists
How Can You Tell the Difference Between Diverticulitis and Something Else?
It can be hard to tell what’s going on within your abdomen when you experience symptoms that could be both diverticulitis and another gastrointestinal issue. The only proper way to know if you have diverticulitis or another type of intestinal issue is by seeing your medical provider for the appropriate tests.
When to Seek Care
If you experience any of the symptoms mentioned above, you should contact your healthcare provider. Though many of them can be non-specific, they signify that something may need your attention. With diverticulitis, it’s always better to be safe and have it checked out if you have severe abdominal pain because the condition can lead to severe and possibly life-threatening complications.
Summary
The sigmoid colon is the S-shaped area of the intestine. It works to help pull water and nutrients into the body from food while passing the rest down through the digestive tract as waste. When the sigmoid colon develops little pouches, known as diverticula, those pouches can push through weak areas of the intestinal wall and can become inflamed and infected.
Though not everyone with these pouches experiences symptoms, some do. Symptoms can include abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting, and digestive issues. If untreated, severe complications can arise, such as bowel obstruction, abscess, or excessive bleeding.
If you experience any of the symptoms above and are unsure where they come from, you must contact your healthcare provider to investigate the problem. Though other conditions can present with the same symptoms, it’s always better to be safe when dealing with abdominal issues.
Read the original article on Verywell Health.
