Diverticulitis Symptoms

A Diverticulum is a small bulging sac in the colon that gets pushed out of the colonic wall as a person gets older and the walls of the colon become thicker and increase the pressure in the colon; if there are several bulging sacs, they are called diverticula.

Diverticula can occur anywhere in the length of the colon but is most common in the sigmoid colon – the section closest to the anus as pressure buildup often occurs there. When a person has diverticula in his/her colon, the person is said to have diverticulosis.

Diverticulosis usually has few or no symptoms at all; if there are symptoms experienced they may include bleeding, bloating, abdominal pain and diarrhea or constipation. Other symptoms may be episodes of sharp pain, a feeling of pressure in the region or a tickling sensation when the diverticula are being filled and emptied. Diverticulosis is changed to Diverticulitis when a Diverticulum becomes inflamed, and ruptures, resulting in infection of the tissues surrounding the colon.

Persons with Diverticulitis usually experience pain in the lower left abdomen, fever and an elevated white cell count when a blood test is done; affected persons may also experience nausea, diarrhea or constipation, pelvic abscesses, tenderness in the lower left abdomen, cramping or bleeding.

In some cases the inflamed Diverticulum can get into the bladder and create an infection that causes the passing of gas during urinating. An inflamed Diverticulum may also result in a peritonitis infection if the Diverticulum ruptures and infects the lining of the abdominal cavity; the severity of the symptoms will depend on how bad the infection is and the size of the area that it has affected.

Diverticulitis occurs mostly in middle-aged and elderly persons above the age of 40 but it has been known – in rare cases to affect persons as young as 20 years of age, however at this age it may be associated with central obesity.

Aside from the thickening of the colon’s walls, another factor that may contribute to Diverticulosis and in turn Diverticulitis is a low-fiber diet. Lack of sufficient fiber in the diet may result in hard stools that are difficult to pass and increase the pressure in the colon; overtime this can lead to Diverticula.

First-time cases of Diverticulitis unless severe, are usually treated with antibiotics, bowel rest – which means eating nothing by mouth, and IV fluid resuscitation; a high fiber diet may also be recommended to keep the person regular and prevent the formation of more diverticula. If the person is experiencing mild pains, anti-spasmodic drugs may be recommended.

In the case of recurring attacks or serious complications, surgery to remove the affected area of the colon may be the only remedy; if surgery is performed, the patient will most likely be placed on a low-fiber diet to minimize the amount of material passing through the colon so that the colon has enough time to heal properly. When fully recovered, patients are then placed on a high-fiber diet as mentioned above.