Delayed Diagnosis of Diverticulitis
If you receive a prompt diagnosis that you are suffering from diverticular disease, it might be possible to treat your condition simply and without needing admission to hospital. A delay in diagnosis can lead to a deterioration in your symptoms and possible life-threatening complications.
The effects of diverticular disease
Diverticulitis is a development of diverticular disease where the diverticular pouches in your bowel become infected.
Recognised early, it may be possible to resolve this painful condition with antibiotics.
If you are extremely unfortunate, however, and the condition is not diagnosed in a timely manner, there is a risk of the lining of the bowel splitting. Such a development can allow faecal matter to escape into the bowel resulting in you becoming seriously unwell and at risk of developing sepsis.
What is diverticular disease?
Diverticular disease is when you start to experience symptoms due to an abnormal sac or pouch which has developed in the internal lining of your digestive tract or bowel wall.
How do I Know if I Have Diverticular Disease?
Symptoms which might suggest that you are suffering from diverticular disease include the following:
- A feeling of being bloated
- Sporadic abdominal pain, probably on the left side
- Diarrhoea or constipation – alteration of bowel habits
If you are developing diverticulitis, you might have a high temperature and be feeling nauseous or vomiting.
If you develop these symptoms, you require medical attention as soon as possible.
Diagnosis
It may be necessary to have blood tests, a CT scan or undergo a colonoscopy to assess the inside of your bowel and to check for the presence of these sacs (diverticula) in order to confirm a diagnosis.
Other conditions, such as Irritable Bowel Syndrome, can cause similar symptoms and need to be ruled out.
A delay in diagnosis may also mean that you require invasive and destructive surgery in order to deal with the problems of your condition. This may even necessitate the fitting of a colostomy if the functioning of your bowel is reduced.
Medical negligence
If your symptoms of diverticular disease or diverticulitis are not recognised or diagnosed, allowing you to deteriorate and suffer significantly worse long-term symptoms, your medical professionals may be considered to have provided substandard care.
If you or a loved one are suffering with the long-term, disabling effects of untreated diverticulitis, contact us to talk to a solicitor who will be able to advise you about the suitability of making a compensation claim.
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