Diverticulitis

Diverticulitis occurs when small, bulging sacs or pouches that form on the inner wall of the intestine (diverticula) become inflamed or infected. Most often, these pouches are in the large intestine (colon).

Causes

The formation of pouches or sacs on the intestinal lining is called diverticulosis. It is found in more than half of Americans over age 60. However, no one knows exactly what causes the pouches to form.

Eating a low-fiber diet mostly made up of processed foods may be a cause. Constipation and hard stools are more likely when you do not eat enough fiber. Straining to pass stools increases the pressure in the colon or intestines, which may lead to the formation of these pouches.

Diverticulitis is caused by small pieces of stool (feces) that become trapped in these pouches, causing infection or inflammation.

Symptoms

People with diverticulosis often have no symptoms, but they may have bloating and cramping in the lower part of the belly. Rarely, they may notice blood in their stool or on toilet paper.

Symptoms of diverticulitis are more severe and often start suddenly, but they may become worse over a few days. They include:

• Tenderness, usually in the left lower side of the abdomen
• Bloating or gas
• Fever and chills
• Nausea and vomiting
• Not feeling hungry and not eating

Exams and Tests

Your health care provider will examine you. You may need blood tests to see if you have an infection.

Other tests that help diagnose diverticulitis may include:

• CT scan
• Ultrasound of the abdomen
• X-rays of the abdomen

Treatment

The treatment of diverticulitis depends on how serious symptom are. Some people may need to be in the hospital, but most of the time the problem can be treated at home.

To help with the pain, your doctor may suggest that you:

• Rest in bed and use a heating pad on your belly.
• Take pain medicines (ask your doctor which ones you should use).
• Drink only fluids for a day or two, and then slowly begin drinking thicker liquids and then eating foods.

The doctor may treat you with antibiotics.

After you are better, your doctor will suggest that you add more fiber to your diet. Eating more fiber can help prevent future attacks. If you have bloating or gas, reduce the amount of fiber you eat for a few days.

Once these pouches have formed, you will have them for life. Diverticulitis can return, but some health care providers think a high-fiber diet may lessen your chances of a recurrence.

Outlook (Prognosis)

Most often, this is a mild condition that responds well to treatment. Some people will have more than one attack of diverticulitis. Surgery may be needed in some cases. Many times, doctors will recommend that you have a colonoscopy after diverticulitis has healed.

Possible Complications

More serious problems that may develop are:

• Abnormal connections that form between parts of the colon or between the colon and another part of the body (fistula)
• Hole or tear in the colon (perforation)
• Narrowed area in the colon (stricture)
• Pocket filled with pus or infection (abscess)

When to Contact a Medical Professional

Call your health care provider if symptoms of diverticulitis occur.

Also call if you have diverticulitis and:

• Blood in your stools
• Fever above 100.4°F that does not go away
• Nausea, vomiting, or chills
• Sudden belly or back pain that gets worse or is very severe