Topic Overview
What is diverticular bleeding?
Diverticular bleeding occurs when pouches (diverticula
) that have developed in the wall of the
large intestine (colon) bleed. These pouches are called
diverticulosis.
Diverticular bleeding causes a large amount of blood to appear
in your stool. Bleeding starts suddenly and usually stops on its own. Abdominal
pain usually does not occur with the bleeding.
If you have a large amount of blood in your stool, see a health professional right away. It is possible, but not common, to quickly lose so much blood that you become lightheaded or weak.
What causes diverticular bleeding?
Pouches (diverticula) form along the wall of the large intestine
(colon) when high pressure inside the colon pushes against weak spots in the
colon wall. Bleeding occurs when a hole (perforation) develops between a pouch
(diverticulum) and a blood vessel.
What are the symptoms?
Diverticular bleeding usually causes sudden, severe bleeding from
the rectum. The blood may be dark or bright red clots. In most cases there is
no pain, and the bleeding stops on its own.
How is diverticular bleeding diagnosed?
Diverticular bleeding is diagnosed by ruling out other causes of
the bleeding. Your health professional will do a medical history and physical
examination, along with some tests.
Colonoscopy, the inspection of the entire large
intestine (colon) using a long, flexible, lighted viewing scope (colonoscope),
is considered one of the most useful tests for determining the source of bleeding in
the lower intestines.
Your health professional might do a test called
technetium-labeled red blood cell bleeding scan to look for the source of
bleeding. In this test, some blood is taken from you, and a small amount of
radioactive material called technetium is added to the blood. The blood
containing the technetium is then injected back into your bloodstream and
traced to the source of bleeding.
How is it treated?
Bleeding from diverticula often will stop on its own. If it does
not, treatment may be needed to stop it and to replace lost blood, and you may
need to be hospitalized. Treatment may include intravenous fluids, blood
transfusions, injection of medicines, and in some cases surgery to remove the
diseased part of the colon.
Can diverticular bleeding be prevented?
Eating a high-fiber diet, getting plenty of fluid, and exercising regularly may help prevent the formation of diverticula. But if you already have diverticulosis, diet may not help prevent bleeding.
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