Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSymptomsCausesComplicationsTreatmentPreventionFrequently Asked QuestionsNext in Diverticulitis GuideWhat Causes Diverticulitis?
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Symptoms
Causes
Complications
Treatment
Prevention
Frequently Asked Questions
Next in Diverticulitis Guide
Diverticulitiscan cause symptoms like a change in bowel habits, gas, chills, and nausea.The most common symptom of diverticulitis is left-sidedabdominal pain.
Diverticulaare small pockets that can form in thecolon (large intestine)in areas of intestinal wall weakness. They can cause bleeding. They don’t cause other symptoms unless they become infected and/or inflamed. When this happens it is known as diverticulitis.
Even with symptoms, most cases of diverticulitis can be treated at home. However, complications can occur, sometimes requiring treatment in the hospital.
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Symptoms of Diverticulitis
Abdominal pain is the most commonsymptom of diverticulitis. It is often chronic and can go on for several days.
In most cases, the diverticula form in the last part of the large intestine, which is called thesigmoid colon. The sigmoid colon is located on the left side of the abdomen, which is why stomach pain from diverticulitis usually affects the left side of the abdomen. The pain usually occurs after eating.
In some cases, the pain can affect the right or both sides of the abdomen. This may occur if there are diverticula in other parts of the colon. The pain of diverticulitis usually occurs in the lower part of the abdomen.
Other common symptoms of diverticulitis can include:
Complications from diverticulitis, such as a fistula, abscess, or bowel perforation can cause other symptoms.
Less common symptoms of diverticulitis can include:
Why Am I So Tired With Diverticulitis?
Diverticulitis and Diverticulosis: What’s the Difference?Diverticulosis is when small pouches form on the inside of your colon, where its walls have become weaker. Diverticulitis is a condition that occurs when these pockets become infected or inflamed.
Diverticulitis and Diverticulosis: What’s the Difference?
Diverticulosis is when small pouches form on the inside of your colon, where its walls have become weaker. Diverticulitis is a condition that occurs when these pockets become infected or inflamed.
What’s the Difference Between Diverticulitis and Diverticulosis?
Causes of Diverticulitis
The causes of diverticulitis can vary. Genetics may play a role in up to 50% of diverticulitis cases.
In some cases, as with older age or genetics, a risk factor can’t be changed. Other factors,dietor smoking, can be changed through lifestyle choices.
Additional risk factors for diverticulosis include:
Studies have shown the use ofcorticosteroidmedications also is a risk factor in developing diverticulitis and can contribute to complications.
Verywell/ Mira Norian
What Does a Diverticulitis Attack Feel Like?
While they are not common,several different complicationsmay occur along with diverticulitis.
Abscess
Anabscessis a bacterial infection that causes a pocket of pus to form. Abscesses associated with diverticulitis may cause fever and abdominal pain. They are treated with antibiotics and/or drainage.
Fistula
Afistulais a tunnel that forms in the body and connects areas of the body that are not normally connected—such as two organs or an organ and the skin.
Symptoms of a fistula (which depends on location) can include a break in the skin, swelling, pain, passing air while urinating, passing stool through the vagina, a visible skin break, or drainage from the area.
A fistula may be treated with surgery or with the use of a seton, which is a thread that is gradually tightened until the fistula is closed.
Perforation
Aperforationis a hole in the colon. It is a serious condition that requires treatment immediately in order to prevent complications such asperitonitis, which is a potentially fatal infection.
The symptoms of a perforation can include severe abdominal pain, fever, chills, bleeding from the rectum, and nausea and vomiting.
Bowel Obstruction
Abowel obstructionis a blockage in the intestine that prevents the passage of stool. When diverticulitis leads to a bowel obstruction the symptoms can include:
An obstruction might be treated in the hospital through the use of anasogastric (NG) tube, or in some cases may require surgery.
Does Diverticulitis Affect Life Expectancy?
Diverticulitis can be managed at home, but you should always see a healthcare provider if you have symptoms. They will evaluate you and will provide instructions for treatment at home or tell you to go to the hospital.
Home Remedies
Rest may help reduce the pain of diverticulitis, as can a heating pad placed on the abdomen.You also may consider trying aliquid dietor bland, low-fiber diet while you have symptoms.
Be sure to talk with your healthcare provider about over-the-counter pain medications such as Tylenol (acetaminophen) because non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) may not be recommended.
Diet
After the first few days, during which some people may benefit from a diet of clear liquids, you may start adding back some low-fiber foods. You can slowly add certain foods including:
Keep track of how different foods are digested and how they might affect your symptoms. As you recover, you may change to high-fiber foods to prevent further episodes of acute diverticulitis.
Diverticulitis: Foods to Avoid
Antibiotics
Treatment guidelines from the American Gastroenterological Association (AGA) say antibiotics can be used selectively (not routinely) in people who have a normally functional immune system and mild, uncomplicated acute diverticulitis.As such, not all cases require antibiotics.
The guidelines call for antibiotic use in other situations, such as people with certain lab indicators of infection, symptoms that don’t respond to other treatments, who have other conditions, or who have completed diverticulitis.
Surgery
Surgery may not be needed in many cases, even among people who experience a complication of diverticulitis. Antibiotics, for example, are a standard treatment, although they may be used less often than they once were in people with uncomplicated diverticulitis.
People with recurring painful episodes due to chronic diverticulitis also may benefit from surgery.
When to See a Healthcare Provider
In most cases diverticulitis is uncomplicated, but severe symptoms could signal that you’re having complications that can be serious and life-threatening. Even if your diverticulitis symptoms feel like a flare-up that you’ve had before, call your healthcare provider.
High-quality diet choices may help to prevent diverticulitis. For example,red meat consumptionmay increase the risk of diverticulitis. Research suggests that alcohol use may be associated with a higher risk of bleeding from diverticulosis, but not diverticulitis or other complications.
Other lifestyle factors include:
It’s also recommended that people with chronic diverticulitis avoid regular use of NSAIDs (defined as two or more times per week). Aspirin used to prevent cardiovascular disease is an exception.
What to Eat If You Have Diverticulitis
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Summary
Diverticulitis is a condition that happens when small pockets that form in your large intestines, called diverticula, become infected and inflamed. The symptoms include left-sided abdominal pain, along with chills, nausea, and changes in bowel habits like gas or constipation.
There are many causes, including exercise, smoking cessation, and dietary changes, that you can control. Other risk factors, such as an older age, cannot be changed.
Treatments vary based on the severity of your symptoms and any complications, such as a perforation that requires surgical care. Your healthcare provider or agastroenterologist(digestive system specialist) can discuss your treatment options with you.
Learn MoreSigns of a Diverticulitis Flare-Up and How to Manage It
There are other medical conditions that can be mistaken for diverticulitis because of similar symptoms. These conditions includeirritable bowel syndrome,inflammatory bowel disease,appendicitis, andcholecystitis(gallbladder inflammation).Learn MoreDrugs to Avoid With Diverticulitis
There are other medical conditions that can be mistaken for diverticulitis because of similar symptoms. These conditions includeirritable bowel syndrome,inflammatory bowel disease,appendicitis, andcholecystitis(gallbladder inflammation).
Learn MoreDrugs to Avoid With Diverticulitis
It can. Many people with uncomplicated diverticulitis will see their symptoms go away in about a weekwith self-care. It’s still important that you speak to a healthcare provider so they candiagnosethe severity of your case and discuss treatment with you.Learn MoreDoes Diverticulitis Go Away?
It can. Many people with uncomplicated diverticulitis will see their symptoms go away in about a weekwith self-care. It’s still important that you speak to a healthcare provider so they candiagnosethe severity of your case and discuss treatment with you.
Learn MoreDoes Diverticulitis Go Away?
Potential Diverticulitis Complications
11 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 diseases.Imaeda H, Hibi T.The burden of diverticular disease and its complications: West versus east.Inflamm Intest Dis. 2018;3(2):61-68. doi:10.1159/000492178Onur 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/s13244-016-0532-3Peery AF, Shaukat A, Strate LL.AGA clinical practice update on medical management of colonic diverticulitis: Expert review.Gastroenterology. 2021;160(3):906-911.e1. doi:10.1053/j.gastro.2020.09.059.Tursi A.Diverticulosis today: Unfashionable and still under-researched.Therap Adv Gastroenterol. 2016;9(2):213-28. doi:10.1177/1756283X15621228.Penn Medicine.Diverticulitis.Strate LL, Morris AM.Epidemiology, pathophysiology, and treatment of diverticulitis.Gastroenterology. 2019;156(5):1282-1298.e1. doi:10.1053/j.gastro.2018.12.033.Carabotti M, Falangone F, Cuomo R, Annibale B.Role of dietary habits in the prevention of diverticular disease complications: A systematic review.Nutrients. 2021;13(4):1288. doi:10.3390/nu13041288Qaseem A, Etxeandia-Ikobaltzeta I, Lin JS, Fitterman N, Shamliyan T, Wilt TJ,et al.Colonoscopy for diagnostic evaluation and interventions to prevent recurrence after acute left-sided colonic diverticulitis: a clinical guideline from the American college of physicians.Ann Intern Med. 2022 Mar;175(3):416-431. doi:10.7326/M21-2711Pulzato I, Boero E, Shaipi E, Cardinale L.“Sigmoid diverticulitis mimicking cholecystitis” a clinical challenge.Ultrasound J. 2019 Jun 11;11(1):14. doi:10.1186/s13089-019-0127-6.National Institutes of Health.Diverticular disease and diverticulitis: Treating acute diverticulitis.Additional ReadingAnsari P.Intra-Abdominal Abscesses. Merck Manual Professional Edition.Baum JA.Colonic Diverticulitis. Merck Manual Professional Edition.
11 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 diseases.Imaeda H, Hibi T.The burden of diverticular disease and its complications: West versus east.Inflamm Intest Dis. 2018;3(2):61-68. doi:10.1159/000492178Onur 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/s13244-016-0532-3Peery AF, Shaukat A, Strate LL.AGA clinical practice update on medical management of colonic diverticulitis: Expert review.Gastroenterology. 2021;160(3):906-911.e1. doi:10.1053/j.gastro.2020.09.059.Tursi A.Diverticulosis today: Unfashionable and still under-researched.Therap Adv Gastroenterol. 2016;9(2):213-28. doi:10.1177/1756283X15621228.Penn Medicine.Diverticulitis.Strate LL, Morris AM.Epidemiology, pathophysiology, and treatment of diverticulitis.Gastroenterology. 2019;156(5):1282-1298.e1. doi:10.1053/j.gastro.2018.12.033.Carabotti M, Falangone F, Cuomo R, Annibale B.Role of dietary habits in the prevention of diverticular disease complications: A systematic review.Nutrients. 2021;13(4):1288. doi:10.3390/nu13041288Qaseem A, Etxeandia-Ikobaltzeta I, Lin JS, Fitterman N, Shamliyan T, Wilt TJ,et al.Colonoscopy for diagnostic evaluation and interventions to prevent recurrence after acute left-sided colonic diverticulitis: a clinical guideline from the American college of physicians.Ann Intern Med. 2022 Mar;175(3):416-431. doi:10.7326/M21-2711Pulzato I, Boero E, Shaipi E, Cardinale L.“Sigmoid diverticulitis mimicking cholecystitis” a clinical challenge.Ultrasound J. 2019 Jun 11;11(1):14. doi:10.1186/s13089-019-0127-6.National Institutes of Health.Diverticular disease and diverticulitis: Treating acute diverticulitis.Additional ReadingAnsari P.Intra-Abdominal Abscesses. Merck Manual Professional Edition.Baum JA.Colonic Diverticulitis. Merck Manual Professional Edition.
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 diseases.Imaeda H, Hibi T.The burden of diverticular disease and its complications: West versus east.Inflamm Intest Dis. 2018;3(2):61-68. doi:10.1159/000492178Onur 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/s13244-016-0532-3Peery AF, Shaukat A, Strate LL.AGA clinical practice update on medical management of colonic diverticulitis: Expert review.Gastroenterology. 2021;160(3):906-911.e1. doi:10.1053/j.gastro.2020.09.059.Tursi A.Diverticulosis today: Unfashionable and still under-researched.Therap Adv Gastroenterol. 2016;9(2):213-28. doi:10.1177/1756283X15621228.Penn Medicine.Diverticulitis.Strate LL, Morris AM.Epidemiology, pathophysiology, and treatment of diverticulitis.Gastroenterology. 2019;156(5):1282-1298.e1. doi:10.1053/j.gastro.2018.12.033.Carabotti M, Falangone F, Cuomo R, Annibale B.Role of dietary habits in the prevention of diverticular disease complications: A systematic review.Nutrients. 2021;13(4):1288. doi:10.3390/nu13041288Qaseem A, Etxeandia-Ikobaltzeta I, Lin JS, Fitterman N, Shamliyan T, Wilt TJ,et al.Colonoscopy for diagnostic evaluation and interventions to prevent recurrence after acute left-sided colonic diverticulitis: a clinical guideline from the American college of physicians.Ann Intern Med. 2022 Mar;175(3):416-431. doi:10.7326/M21-2711Pulzato I, Boero E, Shaipi E, Cardinale L.“Sigmoid diverticulitis mimicking cholecystitis” a clinical challenge.Ultrasound J. 2019 Jun 11;11(1):14. doi:10.1186/s13089-019-0127-6.National Institutes of Health.Diverticular disease and diverticulitis: Treating acute diverticulitis.
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Symptoms & causes of diverticular diseases.
Imaeda H, Hibi T.The burden of diverticular disease and its complications: West versus east.Inflamm Intest Dis. 2018;3(2):61-68. doi:10.1159/000492178
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
Peery AF, Shaukat A, Strate LL.AGA clinical practice update on medical management of colonic diverticulitis: Expert review.Gastroenterology. 2021;160(3):906-911.e1. doi:10.1053/j.gastro.2020.09.059.
Tursi A.Diverticulosis today: Unfashionable and still under-researched.Therap Adv Gastroenterol. 2016;9(2):213-28. doi:10.1177/1756283X15621228.
Penn Medicine.Diverticulitis.
Strate LL, Morris AM.Epidemiology, pathophysiology, and treatment of diverticulitis.Gastroenterology. 2019;156(5):1282-1298.e1. doi:10.1053/j.gastro.2018.12.033.
Carabotti M, Falangone F, Cuomo R, Annibale B.Role of dietary habits in the prevention of diverticular disease complications: A systematic review.Nutrients. 2021;13(4):1288. doi:10.3390/nu13041288
Qaseem A, Etxeandia-Ikobaltzeta I, Lin JS, Fitterman N, Shamliyan T, Wilt TJ,et al.Colonoscopy for diagnostic evaluation and interventions to prevent recurrence after acute left-sided colonic diverticulitis: a clinical guideline from the American college of physicians.Ann Intern Med. 2022 Mar;175(3):416-431. doi:10.7326/M21-2711
Pulzato I, Boero E, Shaipi E, Cardinale L.“Sigmoid diverticulitis mimicking cholecystitis” a clinical challenge.Ultrasound J. 2019 Jun 11;11(1):14. doi:10.1186/s13089-019-0127-6.
National Institutes of Health.Diverticular disease and diverticulitis: Treating acute diverticulitis.
Ansari P.Intra-Abdominal Abscesses. Merck Manual Professional Edition.Baum JA.Colonic Diverticulitis. Merck Manual Professional Edition.
Ansari P.Intra-Abdominal Abscesses. Merck Manual Professional Edition.
Baum JA.Colonic Diverticulitis. Merck Manual Professional Edition.
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