Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSymptomsCauses and Risk FactorsDiagnosisComplicationsTreatmentWhen to Seek Care
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Symptoms
Causes and Risk Factors
Diagnosis
Complications
Treatment
When to Seek Care
In contrast withdiverticulitis, acute diverticulitis can go through periods of worsening or improving inflammation. Diverticulitis develops when pouches in the intestines, known as diverticula, become inflamed and press into the intestinal wall. Sometimes, they can push through, causingperforationorabscesses(a collection of pus). Like chronic diverticulitis, the acute version can be mild or severe depending on whether a person develops complications.
This article discusses the symptoms, causes, and risk factors associated with acute diverticulitis.
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Acute Diverticulitis Symptoms
Acute diverticulitis doesn’t always present with symptoms, so some people may have it without realizing it. However, whensigns do develop, they can include:
What Does Acute Diverticulitis Pain Feel Like?The pain associated with diverticulitis is often sharp and cramping. It usually comes on suddenly and is severe, but it can also develop slowly and feel milder at first, worsening over several days.
What Does Acute Diverticulitis Pain Feel Like?
The pain associated with diverticulitis is often sharp and cramping. It usually comes on suddenly and is severe, but it can also develop slowly and feel milder at first, worsening over several days.
Signs of a Diverticulitis Flare-Up
The direct cause of acute diverticulitis isn’t well known. However, research surrounding the disease has found many risk factors at play. Some of those include:
Ongoing Research and the Cause of Acute DiverticulitisMedical researchers continue to search for information that could help determine a cause or other risk factors. Some they have found that may play a role include:Immune system dysfunctionIssues with the nerves, tissues, or muscles within the colonBacteria or stool being caught in pouches within your intestines
Ongoing Research and the Cause of Acute Diverticulitis
Medical researchers continue to search for information that could help determine a cause or other risk factors. Some they have found that may play a role include:Immune system dysfunctionIssues with the nerves, tissues, or muscles within the colonBacteria or stool being caught in pouches within your intestines
Medical researchers continue to search for information that could help determine a cause or other risk factors. Some they have found that may play a role include:
Diverticulitis Symptoms
Diagnosing acute diverticulitis relies on several tools. First, healthcare providers will need to perform a physical exam and collect a health history to understand the symptoms a person is experiencing and their overall health and lifestyle.
After collecting the information from the physical exam, healthcare providers will likely order several tests to get a better look inside the abdomen. Some possible tests include:
When used together, these tests not only diagnose acute diverticulitis but also rule out other possible conditions that can present the same way.
Similar Conditions
The symptoms of acute diverticulitis are similar to other conditions that affect the abdomen. Some possible health afflictions that could present similarly to acute diverticulitis include:
Why Prompt Testing Is So ImportantBecause acute diverticulitis and conditions that present similar can become medical emergencies, it’s vital to get the correct diagnosis as soon as possible if you experience the symptoms mentioned above.
Why Prompt Testing Is So Important
Because acute diverticulitis and conditions that present similar can become medical emergencies, it’s vital to get the correct diagnosis as soon as possible if you experience the symptoms mentioned above.
There are several complications associated with diverticulitis. While not everyone will experience them, they are a risk. Adverse events that can occur because of the acute disease include:
While these complications can be treated, they can also be life-threatening.
Complicated vs. Uncomplicated DiverticulitisWhen a person develops more severe health issues because of diverticulitis, it is referred to as complicated diverticulitis. In contrast, uncomplicated diverticulitis describes localized inflammation that does not cause further complications, such as the ones mentioned above.
Complicated vs. Uncomplicated Diverticulitis
When a person develops more severe health issues because of diverticulitis, it is referred to as complicated diverticulitis. In contrast, uncomplicated diverticulitis describes localized inflammation that does not cause further complications, such as the ones mentioned above.
Most people with acute diverticulitis can betreatedoutside the hospital usingantibioticsand aliquid diet. This will give the intestines a break while the antibiotics help to heal them.
Acute and uncomplicated diverticulitis may require hospitalization if:
If a person has signs of complicated acute diverticulitis, they must be admitted to the hospital and treated there so that healthcare providers can keep an eye on them. While in the hospital, they will receive medication, fluids, and nutrientsthrough an IV(a direct line into the bloodstream).
Home Remedies to Relieve Diverticulitis Pain Fast
How Long Does It Last?
With proper treatment based on a person’s symptoms, the time it takes to recover varies. Typically, people who have undergone outpatient treatment can expect to feel better within a week. Those that stayed in the hospital may see improvements in their symptoms in as little as two to four days.
While acute diverticulitis isn’t always severe and can go away on its own within a week, it’s important to note that the symptoms associated with the disease can worsen, leading to life-threatening complications.
Because of that, if you experience any of the symptoms mentioned above, contact your healthcare provider or go to the emergency room. Any number of diseases can cause severe abdominal pain that doesn’t go away, so it’s important to rule out the wrong ones and get diagnosed with the right one so you can begin prompt treatment.
Summary
Acute diverticulitis is a form of condition that comes and goes. For example, a person may develop acute diverticulitis once or twice and never again. The symptoms associated with the condition can vary depending on the person. The most notable is abdominal pain which tends to stem from the lower right side of the abdomen.
People experiencing acute diverticulitis must undergo several tests and exams to reach a proper diagnosis. By doing so quickly, they can get treated before any severe or life-threatening complications arise. Acute diverticulitis isn’t always serious and can be treated effectively in a relatively short amount of time.
4 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Symptoms & causes of diverticular disease.Ellison DL.Acute diverticulitis management.Crit Care Nurs Clin North Am.2018;30(1):67-74. doi:10.1016/j.cnc.2017.10.006Wilkins T, Embry K, George R.Diagnosis and management of acute diverticulitis.Am Fam Physician.2013;87(9):612-620.Onur MR, Akpinar E, Karaosmanoglu AD, Isayev C, Karcaaltincaba M.Diverticulitis: a comprehensive review with usual and unusual complications.Insights Imaging.2017;8(1):19-27. doi:10.1007/s13244-016-0532-3
4 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Symptoms & causes of diverticular disease.Ellison DL.Acute diverticulitis management.Crit Care Nurs Clin North Am.2018;30(1):67-74. doi:10.1016/j.cnc.2017.10.006Wilkins T, Embry K, George R.Diagnosis and management of acute diverticulitis.Am Fam Physician.2013;87(9):612-620.Onur MR, Akpinar E, Karaosmanoglu AD, Isayev C, Karcaaltincaba M.Diverticulitis: a comprehensive review with usual and unusual complications.Insights Imaging.2017;8(1):19-27. doi:10.1007/s13244-016-0532-3
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Symptoms & causes of diverticular disease.Ellison DL.Acute diverticulitis management.Crit Care Nurs Clin North Am.2018;30(1):67-74. doi:10.1016/j.cnc.2017.10.006Wilkins T, Embry K, George R.Diagnosis and management of acute diverticulitis.Am Fam Physician.2013;87(9):612-620.Onur MR, Akpinar E, Karaosmanoglu AD, Isayev C, Karcaaltincaba M.Diverticulitis: a comprehensive review with usual and unusual complications.Insights Imaging.2017;8(1):19-27. doi:10.1007/s13244-016-0532-3
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Symptoms & causes of diverticular disease.
Ellison DL.Acute diverticulitis management.Crit Care Nurs Clin North Am.2018;30(1):67-74. doi:10.1016/j.cnc.2017.10.006
Wilkins T, Embry K, George R.Diagnosis and management of acute diverticulitis.Am Fam Physician.2013;87(9):612-620.
Onur MR, Akpinar E, Karaosmanoglu AD, Isayev C, Karcaaltincaba M.Diverticulitis: a comprehensive review with usual and unusual complications.Insights Imaging.2017;8(1):19-27. doi:10.1007/s13244-016-0532-3
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