Andrew, a fit and health-conscious man in his mid-50s, was shocked to be diagnosed with diverticulitis as he had never faced any serious medical issues.
Originally from the UK, he moved to Australia for work, fell in love with a Sydneysider and made Sydney his home. But early one morning, strong stomach pains changed everything.
A race against time: Diagnosing diverticulitis
The pain intensified throughout the day which he kept ignoring. When he developed a high fever his wife Caroline told him it was serious and rushed him to Royal North Shore Hospital (RNSH).
At triage, Andrew’s heart rate was dangerously high – 175 beats per minute – and his temperature had reached 41°C. He was quickly admitted to emergency care and given an IV antibiotic infusion.
Doctors immediately diagnosed him with a perforated bowel caused by diverticulitis, a condition he had never heard of. The infection was severe and he was warned it could have led to sepsis, a life-threatening complication, if he had delayed hospital treatment for much longer.
“I was shocked,” said Andrew. “I had no idea something so serious could happen so quickly.”
A scan revealed he had a partial tear in his bowel and he was moved to ICU for close monitoring.
Understanding diverticulitis
Diverticulosis are small pouches in the colon. While common, they are often asymptomatic, so many people are unaware they have them. Diverticulitis occurs when the pouches become inflamed or infected.
- 1 in 3 Australians over 45 have diverticulosis
- 10-25% of those will develop diverticulitis
- Risk factors include low-fibre diets, high red meat consumption, smoking and sedentary lifestyles
If the infection levels didn’t improve, Andrew was told he would require an operation. Thanks to the swift action and expert care of the team at RNSH, Andrew avoided surgery and a possible colostomy. He spent six days in hospital under the care of colorectal surgeon Dr Yasser Salama.
“Diverticulitis can escalate quickly and become life-threatening if not treated promptly,” said Dr Salama. “In Andrew’s case, early intervention was critical, and he arrived in time to avoid surgery and more serious complications.”
Exceptional care made all the difference
“The level of care was absolutely incredible,” said Andrew. “From the triage nurse to the ICU team who checked on me every 10 minutes, to the ward nurses and doctors – everyone had a terrific attitude. It was my first hospital experience in Australia and it couldn’t have been better.”
Back home, Andrew continued antibiotics for another week and recovered well. He now knows to take any stomach pain seriously.
“This experience taught me that pain shouldn’t be ignored, and to always listen to my wife!”
Andrew’s story is a powerful reminder of how expert care and timely intervention can save lives. With your support, Royal North Shore Hospital can continue to provide world-class treatment for patients facing serious bowel conditions like diverticulitis.
