Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSymptomsCausesDiagnosisTreatment
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Symptoms
Causes
Diagnosis
Treatment
While about half of people over the age of 60 have diverticula in their colon, only about 10% to 25% of those individuals go on to develop diverticulitis.
The Large Intestine
Diverticula generally occur in the colon, which is part of the large intestine. Most of the time, diverticula develop in the sigmoid colon, which is the last section of the large intestine that is connected to the rectum. The sigmoid colon is located on the left side of the abdomen, which is why diverticulitis is often associated with abdominal pain on that side.
Diverticula can occur in other parts of the large intestine too, but this is less common.
Gastrointestinal Symptoms to Never Ignore
Diverticulitis Symptoms
The mostcommon symptom of diverticulitisis abdominal pain, which tends to be constant and may also last for several days. In some cases, the pain can be severe. Rectal bleeding can occur, but it is not common in diverticulitis.Other symptomscan include:
Diverticulitis Signs and Symptoms
It’s not known why some people with diverticular disease develop diverticulitis. There are theories being researched, but researchers currently have no definitive answers about the cause(s) of diverticulitis. It was thought that eatingcertain foodssuch as seeds, nuts, or corn, couldtrigger diverticulitis in peoplewho had diverticular disease, but this is no longer believed to be the case.
There is some recent evidence from studies done in men that eating more red meat may be associated with a higherrisk of developing diverticulitis.
There is anothertheorythat diverticulitis might occur when a diverticulum develops a hole in it (a perforation). Bacteria that’s normally found in the colon might then go through that small hole and cause inflammation.
Another theory is that there is an association with a virus called cytomegalovirus (CMV). CMV is common and may be passed from person to person through bodily fluids. When CMV is first contracted it might cause symptoms similar to the flu (fever, sore throat, fatigue, swollen lymph nodes) but then it may go into an inactive stage. The virus may remain dormant in the body. However, in some cases the virus can be reactivated. It’s thought that the reactivation of CMV might have a connection to diverticulitis.
© Verywell, 2018
Other potential factors that may contribute to the development of diverticulitis include:
Diverticulitis is diagnosedwith an abdominal computed tomography (CT) scan.
A CT scan is a type of X-ray that is done with the use of contrast dye. Contrast dye is drunk as well as given through an IV. This is to ensure that the structure of the colon is thoroughly visualized and a diagnosis of diverticulitis can be made.
In some cases, additional testing might be used if it’s suspected that there are other conditions or complications associated with the diverticulitis. These will be highly individualized based on how the patient is doing as well as physician preference.
Diverticulitis Doctor Discussion GuideGet our printable guide for your next doctor’s appointment to help you ask the right questions.Download PDFEmail AddressSign UpThank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up.There was an error. Please try again.
Get our printable guide for your next doctor’s appointment to help you ask the right questions.
Download PDF
Email AddressSign UpThank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up.There was an error. Please try again.
Sign Up
Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up.
There was an error. Please try again.
Diverticulitis and Colonoscopy: What to Know
For patients who have uncomplicated diverticulitis, which means there are no associated problems such as an abscess or a fistula,treatmentis usually done at home. A liquid diet and rest are usually prescribed along with antibiotics.
Surgery is usually only done when there another serious problem occurs, such as a perforation in the colon.
How Diverticulitis Is Treated
A Word From Verywell
Most cases of diverticulitis are not complicated andcan be treatedat home with rest and fluids, although sometimes antibiotics might also be prescribed. For people who are very ill, treatment will be needed in the hospital with IV fluids and antibiotics. Other treatments might also be needed, but this is going to vary on the health of the patient and the preference of the healthcare team.
9 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.Barroso AO, Quigley EM.Diverticula and Diverticulitis: Time for a Reappraisal.Gastroenterol Hepatol (N Y). 2015;11(10):680-688.Weizman AV, Nguyen GC.Diverticular disease: epidemiology and management.Can J Gastroenterol. 2011;25(7):385-389. doi:10.1155/2011/795241National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Diverticular Disease.Cao Y, Strate LL, Keeley BR, et al.Meat intake and risk of diverticulitis among men.Gut. 2018;67(3):466-472. doi:10.1136/gutjnl-2016-313082Hollink N, Dzabic M, Wolmer N, Boström L, Rahbar A.High prevalence of an active human cytomegalovirus infection in patients with colonic diverticulitis.J Clin Virol. 2007;40(2):116-119. doi:10.1016/j.jcv.2007.07.008Strate LL, Liu YL, Aldoori WH, Giovannucci EL.Physical activity decreases diverticular complications.Am J Gastroenterol. 2009;104(5):1221-1230. doi:10.1038/ajg.2009.121Destigter KK, Keating DP.Imaging Update: Acute Colonic Diverticulitis.Clin Colon Rectal Surg. 2009;22(3):147-155. doi:10.1055/s-0029-1236158National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Treatment for Diverticular Disease. 2016.Rezapour M, Ali S, Stollman N.Diverticular Disease: An Update on Pathogenesis and Management.Gut Liver. 2018;12(2):125-132. doi:10.5009/gnl16552Additional ReadingCao Y, Strate LL, Keeley BR, et al. “Meat intake and risk of diverticulitis among men.“Gut. 2018;67:466-472. doi:10.1136/gutjnl-2016-313082.Hollink N, Dzabic M, Wolmer N, Boström L, Rahbar A. “High prevalence of an active human cytomegalovirus infection in patients with colonic diverticulitis.”J Clin Virol. 2007;40:116-119.Strate LL, Keeley BR, Cao Y, et al. Western dietary pattern increases, and prudent dietary pattern decreases, risk of incident diverticulitis in a prospective cohort study.Gastroenterology. 2017;152:1023–1030. doi:10.1053/j.gastro.2016.12.038.
9 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.Barroso AO, Quigley EM.Diverticula and Diverticulitis: Time for a Reappraisal.Gastroenterol Hepatol (N Y). 2015;11(10):680-688.Weizman AV, Nguyen GC.Diverticular disease: epidemiology and management.Can J Gastroenterol. 2011;25(7):385-389. doi:10.1155/2011/795241National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Diverticular Disease.Cao Y, Strate LL, Keeley BR, et al.Meat intake and risk of diverticulitis among men.Gut. 2018;67(3):466-472. doi:10.1136/gutjnl-2016-313082Hollink N, Dzabic M, Wolmer N, Boström L, Rahbar A.High prevalence of an active human cytomegalovirus infection in patients with colonic diverticulitis.J Clin Virol. 2007;40(2):116-119. doi:10.1016/j.jcv.2007.07.008Strate LL, Liu YL, Aldoori WH, Giovannucci EL.Physical activity decreases diverticular complications.Am J Gastroenterol. 2009;104(5):1221-1230. doi:10.1038/ajg.2009.121Destigter KK, Keating DP.Imaging Update: Acute Colonic Diverticulitis.Clin Colon Rectal Surg. 2009;22(3):147-155. doi:10.1055/s-0029-1236158National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Treatment for Diverticular Disease. 2016.Rezapour M, Ali S, Stollman N.Diverticular Disease: An Update on Pathogenesis and Management.Gut Liver. 2018;12(2):125-132. doi:10.5009/gnl16552Additional ReadingCao Y, Strate LL, Keeley BR, et al. “Meat intake and risk of diverticulitis among men.“Gut. 2018;67:466-472. doi:10.1136/gutjnl-2016-313082.Hollink N, Dzabic M, Wolmer N, Boström L, Rahbar A. “High prevalence of an active human cytomegalovirus infection in patients with colonic diverticulitis.”J Clin Virol. 2007;40:116-119.Strate LL, Keeley BR, Cao Y, et al. Western dietary pattern increases, and prudent dietary pattern decreases, risk of incident diverticulitis in a prospective cohort study.Gastroenterology. 2017;152:1023–1030. doi:10.1053/j.gastro.2016.12.038.
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.
Barroso AO, Quigley EM.Diverticula and Diverticulitis: Time for a Reappraisal.Gastroenterol Hepatol (N Y). 2015;11(10):680-688.Weizman AV, Nguyen GC.Diverticular disease: epidemiology and management.Can J Gastroenterol. 2011;25(7):385-389. doi:10.1155/2011/795241National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Diverticular Disease.Cao Y, Strate LL, Keeley BR, et al.Meat intake and risk of diverticulitis among men.Gut. 2018;67(3):466-472. doi:10.1136/gutjnl-2016-313082Hollink N, Dzabic M, Wolmer N, Boström L, Rahbar A.High prevalence of an active human cytomegalovirus infection in patients with colonic diverticulitis.J Clin Virol. 2007;40(2):116-119. doi:10.1016/j.jcv.2007.07.008Strate LL, Liu YL, Aldoori WH, Giovannucci EL.Physical activity decreases diverticular complications.Am J Gastroenterol. 2009;104(5):1221-1230. doi:10.1038/ajg.2009.121Destigter KK, Keating DP.Imaging Update: Acute Colonic Diverticulitis.Clin Colon Rectal Surg. 2009;22(3):147-155. doi:10.1055/s-0029-1236158National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Treatment for Diverticular Disease. 2016.Rezapour M, Ali S, Stollman N.Diverticular Disease: An Update on Pathogenesis and Management.Gut Liver. 2018;12(2):125-132. doi:10.5009/gnl16552
Barroso AO, Quigley EM.Diverticula and Diverticulitis: Time for a Reappraisal.Gastroenterol Hepatol (N Y). 2015;11(10):680-688.
Weizman AV, Nguyen GC.Diverticular disease: epidemiology and management.Can J Gastroenterol. 2011;25(7):385-389. doi:10.1155/2011/795241
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Diverticular Disease.
Cao Y, Strate LL, Keeley BR, et al.Meat intake and risk of diverticulitis among men.Gut. 2018;67(3):466-472. doi:10.1136/gutjnl-2016-313082
Hollink N, Dzabic M, Wolmer N, Boström L, Rahbar A.High prevalence of an active human cytomegalovirus infection in patients with colonic diverticulitis.J Clin Virol. 2007;40(2):116-119. doi:10.1016/j.jcv.2007.07.008
Strate LL, Liu YL, Aldoori WH, Giovannucci EL.Physical activity decreases diverticular complications.Am J Gastroenterol. 2009;104(5):1221-1230. doi:10.1038/ajg.2009.121
Destigter KK, Keating DP.Imaging Update: Acute Colonic Diverticulitis.Clin Colon Rectal Surg. 2009;22(3):147-155. doi:10.1055/s-0029-1236158
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Treatment for Diverticular Disease. 2016.
Rezapour M, Ali S, Stollman N.Diverticular Disease: An Update on Pathogenesis and Management.Gut Liver. 2018;12(2):125-132. doi:10.5009/gnl16552
Cao Y, Strate LL, Keeley BR, et al. “Meat intake and risk of diverticulitis among men.“Gut. 2018;67:466-472. doi:10.1136/gutjnl-2016-313082.Hollink N, Dzabic M, Wolmer N, Boström L, Rahbar A. “High prevalence of an active human cytomegalovirus infection in patients with colonic diverticulitis.”J Clin Virol. 2007;40:116-119.Strate LL, Keeley BR, Cao Y, et al. Western dietary pattern increases, and prudent dietary pattern decreases, risk of incident diverticulitis in a prospective cohort study.Gastroenterology. 2017;152:1023–1030. doi:10.1053/j.gastro.2016.12.038.
Meet Our Medical Expert Board
Share Feedback
Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
Was this page helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
What is your feedback?
