Diverticular Disease: Severe Bleeding
Topic Overview
Severe bleeding (diverticular hemorrhage) is a separate
problem from
diverticulitis. Severe bleeding occurs in less than 5 out of 100 people who have bleeding from
diverticula in the colon. Bleeding stops on its own in
about 75 out of 100 cases.1 But sometimes bleeding may be
severe enough that a blood transfusion is needed.
Imaging tests
including angiography (also known as
arteriography) may be used to find the location of
persistent bleeding. Angiography also can be used to deliver medicines to the
site to help stop the bleeding. Doctors also may use
colonoscopy to apply medicines or instruments to try
to stop bleeding.
If these methods do not work, surgery may be
needed to stop the bleeding and to prevent repeated problems with bleeding.
References
Citations
- Davis BR, Matthews JB (2006). Diverticular disease of the colon. In M Wolfe et al., eds., Therapy of Digestive Disorders, 2nd ed., pp. 855–859. Philadelphia: Saunders Elsevier.
Credits
| By | Healthwise Staff |
|---|
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine |
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| Specialist Medical Reviewer | Jerome B. Simon, MD, FRCPC, FACP - Gastroenterology |
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| Last Revised | October 8, 2012 |
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Last Revised:
October 8, 2012
Davis BR, Matthews JB (2006). Diverticular disease of the colon. In M Wolfe et al., eds., Therapy of Digestive Disorders, 2nd ed., pp. 855–859. Philadelphia: Saunders Elsevier.
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