Diverticulitis: Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Treatment

Disease Insights: diverticulitis

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Welcome to the ultimate guide on diverticulitis. Here, you'll find answers to the most common questions to help you or your loved ones understand and manage this condition better.

Description for diverticulitis

Inflammation or infection of small pouches (diverticula) that can form in the lining of the digestive system.

Symptoms of diverticulitis

abdominal pain, bloating, changes in bowel habits, fever, nausea

Precautions for diverticulitis

Follow a high-fiber diet, Stay hydrated, Avoid foods that can irritate the colo, Take prescribed antibiotics if ne

Questions Covered:

what is diverticulitis?
What are the usual symptoms of diverticulitis?
causes of diverticulitis?
What are the possible complications that could arise from diverticulitis?
How do doctors usually figure out if someone has diverticulitis, diagnosis?
How do doctors usually treat diverticulitis?
What are the ways to prevent diverticulitis?
What are the potential risk factors associated with diverticulitis?

Answers:

Question: what is diverticulitis?

Diverticulitis can cause digestive symptoms and abdominal pain. Some people may develop complications that require urgent medical care.

Question: What are the usual symptoms of diverticulitis?

Diverticulitis can cause symptoms ranging from mild to severe. These symptoms can appear suddenly, or they can develop gradually over several days.
Potential symptoms of diverticular disease include
:
pain in your abdomen
bloating
diarrhea
constipation
If you develop diverticulitis, you might experience:
constant or severe pain in your abdomen
nausea and vomiting
fever and chills
blood in your stool
bleeding from your rectum
Abdominal pain is the most common
symptom of diverticulitis. It will most likely occur in the lower left side of your abdomen. It can also develop in the right side of your abdomen.
If you develop any of the above symptoms, it may be a sign of a serious complication from diverticulitis or another condition. Call your doctor right away.

Question: causes of diverticulitis?

Diverticular disease develops when pouches form along your digestive tract, typically in your colon (large intestine). These pouches (diverticula) can become inflamed and infected, which may occur when feces or partially digested food blocks the opening of the diverticula.
Although there's no single known cause of diverticular disease, several factors can increase the risk of developing diverticulitis, including
:
genetics
diet
decreased immune function
having obesity
physical inactivity
smoking
changes in the gut microbiome
certain medications, such as steroids

Question: What are the possible complications that could arise from diverticulitis?

More than 75 percent
of diverticulitis cases are uncomplicated, leaving about 25 percent to develop complications.
These complications can include:
abscess, an infected pocket that's filled with pus
phlegmon, an infected area that's less well-confined than an abscess
fistula, an abnormal connection that can develop between two organs or between an organ and the skin
intestinal perforation, a tear or hole in the intestinal wall that can allow the contents of your colon to leak into your abdominal cavity, causing inflammation and infection
intestinal obstruction, a blockage in your intestine that can stop stool from passing

Question: How do doctors usually figure out if someone has diverticulitis, diagnosis?

To diagnose diverticulitis, your doctor will likely ask about your symptoms, health history, and any medications you take. They'll likely perform a physical exam to check your abdomen for tenderness.
If they need more information, they may perform a digital rectal exam to check for:
rectal bleeding
pain
masses
other problems
Several other conditions can cause symptoms that are similar to diverticulitis. To rule out other conditions and check for signs of diverticulitis, your doctor might order one or more tests.
Tests can include:
abdominal ultrasound, abdominal MRI scan, abdominal CT scan, or abdominal X-ray to create pictures of your gastrointestinal (GI) tract
colonoscopy to examine the inside of your GI tract; although this takes place after a bout of diverticulosis
stool test to check for infections, such as Clostridium difficile (C. diff)
urine test to check for infections
blood tests to check for signs of inflammation, anemia, or kidney or liver problems
pelvic exam to rule out gynecological problems in people assigned female at birth
pregnancy test to rule out pregnancy in people assigned female at birth
If you have diverticulitis, these exams and tests can help your doctor learn if it's uncomplicated or complicated.
Using a colonoscopy to diagnose diverticulitis
If you have symptoms of diverticulitis, your doctor might
encourage you to have a colonoscopy once the acute episode resolves. This procedure can help confirm a diagnosis of diverticulitis or another condition that causes similar symptoms, such as ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease.
During a colonoscopy, your doctor will thread a flexible scope into your rectum and colon. They can use this scope to examine the inside of your colon. They can also use it to collect tissue samples for testing.
To help you feel more comfortable during this procedure, you will be sedated beforehand.
In some cases, your doctor might learn that you have diverticula during a routine colonoscopy. If the diverticula aren't inflamed, infected, or causing symptoms, you probably won't need treatment.

Question: How do doctors usually treat diverticulitis?

The treatment that your doctor prescribes for diverticulitis will depend on how severe your condition is.
Uncomplicated diverticulitis can typically be treated at home. Your doctor might
encourage you to make changes to your diet. In some cases, they might prescribe medications, including antibiotics.
If you develop complications from diverticulitis, you may need
to visit a hospital for treatment. You may be given fluids and antibiotics through an intravenous (IV) line. Depending on the type of complication, you might need to undergo surgery or another procedure.

Question: What are the ways to prevent diverticulitis?

More research is needed to learn what causes diverticular disease, including diverticulitis. Currently, experts believe multiple factors play a part. Some potential risk factors may be modified through lifestyle changes.
For example, it might help
to:
try to maintain a moderate body weight
eat a diet that's high in fiber to help bulk up stools (however, in acute diverticulitis, you may want to avoid fiber)
limit your consumption of saturated fat
get enough vitamin D
get regular exercise if possible
try to avoid cigarette smoke
These prevention strategies can also help promote good overall health.

Question: What are the potential risk factors associated with diverticulitis?

One of the main risk factors for diverticulitis is age. Older people are more likely than younger people to develop diverticulitis. It commonly occurs
in men under 50 and women ages 50 to 70.
People who develop diverticula at a younger age
may be more likely to experience diverticulitis. Younger people are also more likely
to be admitted to a hospital if they have diverticulitis than older people.
According to a review of research
published in 2018, other potential risk factors for diverticulitis include:
Family history
Studies have found that genetics play a role in diverticular disease, with some reports estimating that roughly 40 to 50 percent
of the potential risk of diverticular disease is hereditary.
Low levels of vitamin D
Some studies
suggest that people with higher levels of vitamin D might have a lower risk of getting diverticulitis. More research is needed to understand the potential link between vitamin D and diverticula.
Obesity
Several studies
have found that people with higher body mass index (BMI) and larger waists are at increased risk of diverticulitis.
It's possible that obesity raises the risk of diverticulitis by changing the balance of bacteria in your gut, but more research is needed to understand the role this plays.
Physical inactivity
Some studies
have found that physically active people are less likely than inactive people to develop diverticulitis. However, this link still needs more research.
Using nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or smoking
Regular use of aspirin, ibuprofen, or other NSAIDs may raise your risk of diverticulitis.
People who smoke are also more likely than nonsmokers to develop diverticular disease, including diverticulitis.
According to a 2017 review of research
, there's no strong evidence that drinking alcohol raises your risk of this disease.
If you drink alcohol, your doctor will likely encourage you to drink in moderation only. Although alcohol consumption might not cause diverticulitis, drinking too much can raise your risk of many other health problems.

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Conclusion & Takeaways

Learning about diverticulitis is the first step toward taking control of your health. By understanding its causes, symptoms, and treatments, you empower yourself to make informed decisions. Remember to consult healthcare professionals for personalized advice and support.