Meckel’s Diverticulitis is an intestinal condition that involves inflammation of a Meckel’s diverticulum.  Most patients with a Meckel’s diverticulum require no treatment at all, while others can experience severe symptoms and require fast treatment. In this article, we are going to discuss Meckel’s Diverticulitis – how to identify the condition and how it can be treated most effectively.

What is Meckel’s Diverticulitis?

Meckel’s Diverticulum is a congenital health condition in which an abnormal sac develops at an intestinal weak point.  This happens in the small intestine, usually near the appendix.

A Meckel’s Diverticulum doesn’t cause any significant symptoms whatsoever. In other cases, when the intestinal growth is comprised of pancreatic or stomach cells, the symptoms can arise. Symptoms of Meckel’s Diverticulitis can include any combination of the following:

• Nausea and vomiting
• Abdominal pain
• Anemia
• Bloody stool
• Blockage, inflammation, or bleeding in the intestines

These symptoms can often occur sporadically over time, which can make the condition difficult to diagnose. For example, you may notice blood in your stool for a couple of days, and then no symptoms whatsoever for a week.

Treatment Options for Meckel’s Diverticulitis

Accurately diagnosing the condition is the first step on the path to treatment. To attain a diagnosis, your doctor may order blood tests, a stool smear, a CT scan or a technetium scan. If the Diverticulitis isn’t causing any symptoms, you likely won’t require any treatment. On the other hand, if the condition is causing any of the symptoms noted above, surgical removal of the diverticulitis is typically the best course of action. This procedure has a very low risk level.

If you notice any of the symptoms of Meckel’s Diverticulitis in you or your child, make an appointment with your physician to diagnose the issue right away. If surgical intervention is recommended, make sure you find a skilled and experienced general surgeon who specializes in the treatment of Meckel’s Diverticulitis.