Overview
Diverticula are small, bulging pouches that can form in the lining of your digestive system. Diverticula are found most often in the lower part of the large intestine (colon). The formation of diverticula is common, especially after age 40, and seldom causes problems.
The presence of diverticula is known as diverticulosis. When one or more of the pouches become inflamed, and in some cases infected, that condition is known as diverticulitis. Diverticulitis can cause severe abdominal pain, fever, nausea and a marked change in your defecation habit.
Mild diverticulitis can be treated with rest, changes in your diet and antibiotics. Severe or recurring diverticulitis may require surgery.
Symptoms of diverticulitis
The signs and symptoms of diverticulitis include:
- Pain, which may be constant and persist for several days. The lower left side of the abdomen is the usual site of the pain. Sometimes, however, the right side of the abdomen is more painful.
- Nausea and vomiting.
- Fever.
- Constipation or, less commonly, diarrhea.
When do you need to see a doctor?
You need to seek medical attention anytime you have constant, unexplained abdominal pain, particularly if you also have a fever and constipation or diarrhea.
What causes diverticulitis?
Diverticula usually develop when naturally weak places in your colon give way under pressure. This process causes small pouches to protrude through the colon wall.
Diverticulitis occurs when diverticula tear, resulting in inflammation, and in some cases, infection.
Risk factors
Several factors may increase your risk of developing diverticulitis:
- Aging. The incidence of diverticulitis increases with age.
- Obesity. Being seriously overweight increases your odds of developing diverticulitis.
- Smoking. People who smoke cigarettes are more likely to develop diverticulitis than nonsmokers.
- Lack of physical exercise. Vigorous physical exercise appears to lower your risk of diverticulitis.
- Diet high in animal fat and low in fiber. A low-fiber diet in combination with a high intake of animal fat seems to increase risk, although the role of low fiber alone isn’t clear.
- Certain medications. Several drugs are associated with an increased risk of diverticulitis, including steroids, opioids and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB) and naproxen sodium (Aleve).
Complications of diverticulitis
About 25% of people with acute diverticulitis develop complications, which may include:
- An abscess, which occurs when pus collects in the pouch.
- A blockage in your bowel caused by scarring.
- An abnormal passageway (fistula) between sections of bowel or between the bowel and other organs.
- Peritonitis, which can occur if the infected or inflamed pouch ruptures, spilling intestinal contents into your abdominal cavity. Peritonitis is a medical emergency and requires immediate care.
Diagnosis of diverticulitis
Diverticulitis is usually diagnosed during a sudden or rapid onset. Because abdominal pain can indicate a number of problems, your doctor will need to rule out other causes for your symptoms.
Your doctor will start with a physical examination, which will include checking your abdomen. Women generally have a pelvic examination as well to rule out pelvic disease.
After that, your doctor may perform the following tests:
- Blood and urine tests, to check for signs of infection.
- A pregnancy test for women of childbearing age, to rule out pregnancy as a cause of abdominal pain.
- A liver enzyme test, to rule out liver-related causes of abdominal pain.
- A stool test, to rule out infection in people who have diarrhea.
- A CT scan, which can identify inflamed or infected pouches and confirm a diagnosis of diverticulitis. CT scan can also indicate the severity of diverticulitis and guide treatment.
Preparing for the appointment with your doctor
You may be referred to a doctor who specializes in disorders of the digestive system (gastroenterologist).
What you can do to prepare
- Be aware of any restrictions before appointment, such as not eating solid food on the day before your appointment.
- Write down your symptoms, including any symptom that seems unrelated to the reason why you go to see a doctor.
- Make a list of all your medications, vitamins and supplements.
- Write down your key medical information, including other health conditions.
- Write down key personal information, including any recent changes or stressors in your life.
- Ask a relative or friend to accompany you, to help you remember what the doctor says.
- Write down questions to ask your doctor.
Questions to ask your doctor
- What’s the most likely cause of my symptoms?
- What kinds of tests do I need? Do these tests require any special preparation?
- What treatment methods are available?
- Will the diverticulitis come back?
- Should I remove or add any foods in my diet?
- I have other health conditions. How can I best manage these health conditions together?
In addition to the questions that you’ve prepared to ask your doctor, don’t hesitate to ask other questions during your appointment.
What your doctor may ask you
Your doctor is likely to ask you a number of questions. Being ready to answer these questions will help you save time and spend more time on the points you want to discuss. You may be asked these questions:
- When did you first begin experiencing symptoms, and how severe are the symptoms?
- Have your symptoms been continuous or occasional?
- What seems to improve or worsen your symptoms?
- Have you had a fever?
- What medications and pain relievers do you take?
- Have you had any pain with urination?
- Have you ever had a screening test for colon cancer (colonoscopy)?
Treatment of diverticulitis
Treatment of diverticulitis depends on the severity of your signs and symptoms.
For uncomplicated diverticulitis
If your symptoms are mild, you may be treated at home. Your doctor is likely to recommend:
- Antibiotics to treat infection, although new guidelines state that in very mild cases, antibiotics may not be needed.
- A liquid diet for a few days while your bowel heals. Once your symptoms improve, you can gradually add solid food to your diet.
This treatment is successful in most people with uncomplicated diverticulitis.
For complicated diverticulitis
If you have a severe pain or have other health problems, you’ll likely need to be hospitalized. Treatment for complicated diverticulitis is generally performed by:
- Intravenous antibiotics
- Insertion of a tube to drain an abdominal abscess, if abscess has formed
Surgery to treat diverticulitis
You’ll likely need surgery to treat diverticulitis if:
- You have a complication, such as a bowel abscess, fistula or obstruction, or a puncture in the bowel wall
- You have had multiple episodes of uncomplicated diverticulitis
- You have a weakened immune system
There are two main types of surgery to treat diverticulitis:
- Primary bowel resection. The surgeon removes diseased segments of your intestine and then reconnects the healthy segments (anastomosis). This method allows you to have normal defecation. Depending on the amount of inflammation, you may have open surgery or a minimally invasive (laparoscopic) procedure.
- Bowel resection with colostomy. If you have so much inflammation that it’s not possible to rejoin your colon and rectum, the surgeon will perform a colostomy. An opening (st8xo8xma) in your abdominal wall is connected to the healthy part of your colon. Waste passes through the opening into a bag. Once the inflammation has eased, the colostomy may be reversed and the bowel reconnected.
Follow-up care
Your doctor may recommend colonoscopy six weeks after you recover from diverticulitis, especially if you haven’t had the test in the previous year. There doesn’t appear to be a direct link between diverticular disease and colon or rectal cancer. But colonoscopy — which is risky during a diverticulitis onset — can exclude colon cancer as a cause of your symptoms.
After successful treatment, your doctor may recommend surgery to prevent future episodes of diverticulitis. The decision on surgery is an individual decision and is often based on the frequency of onset and whether complications have occurred or not.
Alternative therapy
Some experts suspect that people who develop diverticulitis may not have enough good bacteria in their colons. Probiotics — foods or supplements that contain beneficial bacteria — are sometimes suggested as a way to prevent diverticulitis. But that advice hasn’t been scientifically validated.
Prevention of diverticulitis
To help prevent diverticulitis:
- Exercise regularly. Exercise promotes normal bowel function and reduces pressure inside your colon. Try to exercise at least 30 minutes on most days.
- Eat more fiber. A high-fiber diet decreases the risk of diverticulitis. Fiber-rich foods, such as fresh fruits and vegetables and whole grains, soften waste material and help it pass more quickly through your colon. Eating seeds and nuts isn’t associated with developing diverticulitis.
- Drink plenty of fluids. Fiber works by absorbing water and increasing the soft, bulky waste in your colon. But if you don’t drink enough liquid to replace the amount of liquid absorbed, fiber can be constipating.
- Avoid smoking. Smoking tobacco is associated with an increased risk of diverticulitis.
