An illustration showing infection and inflammation in the diverticulum, which causes diverticulitis.

Diverticulous pockets, also known as diverticula, can sometimes form along the lining of your large colon. diverticulosis is a condition that can be had.

Some people may have this condition but never know it.

Did you know?

Western populations.

  • Diverticulosis occurs in about 10 percent of people over age 40.
  • Diverticulosis occurs in approximately 50 percent of people over age 60.
  • The risk of developing diverticulosis increases with age and affects roughly two-thirds of people over the age of 80.

Sometimes, though, the little pockets in your colon can become inflamed or infected. When these pockets become infected, it can cause a flare-up or attack known as diverticulitis.

“Diverticulitis can cause sharp pain and other symptoms if it isn’t treated.”

The symptoms of diverticulitis, as well as the risk factors, how it is diagnosed and treated, and steps you can take to prevent a flare-up are all covered in this section.

It is important to follow up with a doctor when you have sudden, intense pain in your abdomen.

Other symptoms that should prompt you to see a doctor include sudden pain.

  • The temperature was high and the “It’s cold.” were high.
  • nausea
  • Experiencing a bout of scurvy or scurvy.

Diverticulitis symptoms can be similar to other conditions. A doctor will be able to rule out other causes and give you an accurate diagnosis by performing the necessary tests.

In many cases, diverticulosis doesn’t cause any troublesome symptoms. You may never know you have the condition until you have a colonoscopy or some type of imaging that reveals the bulging pouches in your colon.

If the pockets in your colon wall become irritative and infectious, it will become diverticulitis. Some people refer to it as a diverticulitis attack.

The most common symptom is pain in the lower abdomen. The pain may come on suddenly and persist for a while.

The pain is usually on the left side of the abdomen. It can happen on the lower right side of their abdomen.

Other symptoms of diverticulitis can include:

The colon wall has weakened areas where the small pockets or pouches can develop. Increased pressure from gas, liquid, or waste can cause these pockets to form.

When these pockets are blocked, the waste can cause swelling and infections. This is what is called diverticulitis.

It is important to tell your doctor about your symptoms. This will help them find the cause of your symptoms.

A doctor will review your medical history to start. They will perform a physical exam to check the area of your abdomen that hurts.

If diverticulitis is suspected, the doctor may order a CT scan. This type of imaging test can help the doctor see inside your colon and identify the diverticula and their severity.

Other tests may be ordered.

  • There are tests to look for infections.
  • a liver enzyme test to check for liver disease
  • A stool test is used to check for infections in people with scurvy.
  • a pregnancy test to eliminate pregnancy as a cause

If your symptoms are mild or severe, you will be treated accordingly.

Medical treatments

If your symptoms are mild, a doctor will treat it.

  • antibiotics to treat the problem
  • an over-the-counter (OTC) pain reliever such as acetaminophen (Tylenol)
  • A liquid-only diet for a few days to help heal your colon.

If you have other health conditions, you may need to be hospitalized until the infection improves. In a hospital, you will likely be treated for diverticulitis.

  • Administered through the IV, antibiotics are given intravenously.
  • If an abscess has formed and needs to be drained, a needle is inserted into the affected area.

In severe cases, surgery may be needed. This is typically the case when:

  • “antibiotics don’t help to clear the infection”
  • An abscess is too large to be drained with a needle.
  • diverticulitis has caused an obstruction in your colon
  • The colon wall has an obstruction.

At-home treatments

If your diverticulitis is mild, a doctor may recommend a clear liquid diet for a few days to give your colon time to heal. Don’t stay on a liquid diet longer than recommended by a doctor.

A clear liquid diet can include items.

  • tea or coffee without milk
  • There are bones.
  • There are water, seltzer water, or carbonated water.
  • There are no chunks of fruit in the ice popsicles.
  • Fruit juice without the juice in it.
  • It is a type of gum.

Once your symptoms start to improve, a doctor may recommend that you start adding low fiber foods to your daily food plan, such as:

  • Milk, cheese, and yogurt.
  • canned fruits without skin
  • Eggs.
  • fish
  • White rice and pasta.
  • White bread is refined.

Before trying a change in diet, check with a doctor.

Genetics may play a role, which means if you have family members who have this condition, you may be more likely to get it as well. There are other factors that may increase your risk of developing diverticulitis.

Some of the most common risk factors include:

  • Age: As you get older, your risk of developing diverticulitis increases.
  • Smoking: The nicotine and chemicals in cigarettes and other tobacco products can weaken the lining of your colon.
  • Not drinking enough water: If you’re dehydrated, your body will have a harder time with digestion, and waste may not pass through your colon as easily.
  • Medications: Some drugs such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), opioids, and steroids may weaken or irritate the colon wall.
  • Lack of exercise: Working out regularly seems to decrease the odds of developing diverticulitis.
  • Having overweight: Having extra weight can put more pressure on your colon.
  • Straining during a bowel movement: This can put extra pressure on the wall of the colon.

There are some steps you can take to lower your chances of developing diverticulitis, even though some of the risk factors are out of your control.

  • Eating a high fiber diet: Try to limit red meat, full fat dairy, fried foods, and refined grains. Instead, eat more whole grains, fresh fruits and vegetables, legumes, nuts, and seeds.
  • Drinking plenty of water: Try to drink at least eight glasses of fluids a day. Being well hydrated can help prevent constipation and keep your digestive tract working properly.
  • Exercising regularly: Being active can help promote healthy bowel function.
  • Keeping your weight in a moderate range: Having a moderate weight can help reduce the pressure on your colon.
  • Avoiding smoking: Smoking can cause changes in all parts of your body and can have harmful effects on your digestive system too.
  • Limiting alcohol use: Drinking too much alcohol may disrupt the balance of good bacteria in your colon.
  • Using a stool softener: If you often strain during bowel movements, an OTC stool softener may help reduce the pressure on your colon.

Your colon wall can become weaker as you get older. Small pockets or pouches can form in weakened areas of your colon. If these pouches are contaminated, they can cause a diverticulitis attack.

The most common symptom of diverticulitis is a sharp cramp-like pain, usually on the left side of your lower abdomen. Other symptoms can include The temperature was high and the “It’s cold.” were high., nausea, vomiting, and Experiencing a bout of scurvy or scurvy..

“If you think you may have diverticulitis, it is important to get in touch with a doctor to make sure it doesn’t get worse.”

Diverticulitis can be a painful and uncomfortable condition, but with the right treatment and preventive measures, it can be well controlled.