Word parts
What it means
Many people, mostly older adults, have small pouches (diverticula) in the wall of the large bowel; having them is called diverticulosis. When a pouch becomes inflamed or infected, it is diverticulitis. It usually causes pain in the lower left belly, fever and a change in bowel habits. It can lead to an abscess, a perforationper-fuh-RAY-shunA hole that goes all the way through the wall of an organ or tissue.per- throughforat bored (a hole)-ion processFull entry of the bowel or peritonitispair-ih-tuh-NY-tisInflammation of the peritoneum, the thin membrane that lines the inside of the belly and covers the organs there.peritone/o peritoneum-itis inflammationFull entry .
For the nurse
During a flare, expect bowel rest (clear liquids or NPO), IV fluids and antibiotics. Report a rigid belly, rising pain or fever, which can mean a perforation. Once it has settled, teach a high-fiber diet with plenty of fluids to keep stools soft.
In a chart
"Client reports left lower quadrant pain and fever of 38.4 °C; CT shows sigmoid diverticulitis."
At a glance
| Spanish | diverticulitis |
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Related terms
col/o
A word root that means colon, the large intestine.
-itis
A word ending that means inflammation.
constipation
Bowel movements that happen less often than usual, with hard, dry stool that is difficult to pass.
perforation
A hole that goes all the way through the wall of an organ or tissue.
peritonitis
Inflammation of the peritoneum, the thin membrane that lines the inside of the belly and covers the organs there.