Diverticulitis Becoming More Prevalent Amongst Younger Generations: What to Look For?
Keywords:
diverticula, diverticulosis, diverticulitis, tick, gastrointestinal, gastroenterology, sigmoid diverticula, colonoscopyAbstract
Diverticular disease has been a common occurrence in the later generation of life but is now starting to become prevalent amongst people under 40. The ramifications for misdiagnosing diverticulitis as acute appendicitis or enteritis could pose a problem for the future need of resection in individuals diagnosed at an earlier age. This case report presents a 29-year-old male with severe repeat diverticulitis events necessitating resection. He presented to the emergency department 3 times with a progressive diverticular episode that led to abscess and perforation formation. He states he was never told about the importance of nutrition and fiber for prevention of worsening diverticular disease. Physicians should keep diverticulitis on the differential when young patients present with tachycardia, leukocytosis, and lower abdominal pain.
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