Diverticulitis

Diverticulitis is infection or inflammation of small pouches (diverticula) in the colon that form due to a condition called diverticulosis. Diverticula can trap stool (feces) and bacteria, causing infection and inflammation.

Diverticulitis may cause severe stomach pain and diarrhea. It may lead to tissue damage in the colon that causes bleeding or blockage. The diverticula may also burst (rupture) and cause infected stool to enter other areas of the abdomen.

What are the causes?

This condition is caused by stool becoming trapped in the diverticula, which allows bacteria to grow in the diverticula. This leads to inflammation and infection.

What increases the risk?

• Are overweight or obese.
• Do not get enough exercise.
• Drink alcohol.
• Use tobacco products.
• Eat a diet that has a lot of red meat such as beef, pork, or lamb.
• Eat a diet that does not include enough fiber. High-fiber foods include fruits, vegetables, beans, nuts, and whole grains.
• Are over 40 years of age.

What are the signs or symptoms?

• Pain and tenderness in the abdomen. The pain is normally located on the left side of the abdomen, but it may occur in other areas.
• Fever and chills.
• Nausea.
• Vomiting.
• Cramping.
• Bloating.
• Changes in bowel routines.
• Blood in your stool.

How is this diagnosed?

• Your medical history.
• A physical exam.
• Tests to make sure there is nothing else causing your condition. These tests may include:
  • Blood tests.
  • Urine tests.
  • CT scan of the abdomen.

How is this treated?

• Taking over-the-counter pain medicines.
• Following a clear liquid diet.
• Taking antibiotic medicines by mouth.
• Resting.

• Not eating or drinking.
• Taking prescription pain medicine.
• Receiving antibiotic medicines through an IV.
• Receiving fluids and nutrition through an IV.
• Surgery.

When your condition is under control, your health care provider may recommend that you have a colonoscopy. This is an exam to look at the entire large intestine. During the exam, a lubricated, bendable tube is inserted into the anus and then passed into the rectum, colon, and other parts of the large intestine. A colonoscopy can show how severe your diverticula are and whether something else may be causing your symptoms.

Follow these instructions at home:

Medicines

• Take over-the-counter and prescription medicines only as told by your health care provider. These include fiber supplements, probiotics, and stool softeners.
• If you were prescribed an antibiotic medicine, take it as told by your health care provider. Do not stop taking the antibiotic even if you start to feel better.
• Ask your health care provider if the medicine prescribed to you requires you to avoid driving or using machinery.

Eating and drinking

• Follow a full liquid diet or another diet as directed by your health care provider.
• After your symptoms improve, your health care provider may tell you to change your diet. He or she may recommend that you eat a diet that contains at least 25 grams (25 g) of fiber daily. Fiber makes it easier to pass stool. Healthy sources of fiber include:
  • Berries. One cup contains 4–8 grams of fiber.
  • Beans or lentils. One-half cup contains 5–8 grams of fiber.
  • Green vegetables. One cup contains 4 grams of fiber.
• Avoid eating red meat.

General instructions

• Do not use any products that contain nicotine or tobacco, such as cigarettes, e-cigarettes, and chewing tobacco. If you need help quitting, ask your health care provider.
• Exercise for at least 30 minutes, 3 times each week. You should exercise hard enough to raise your heart rate and break a sweat.
• Keep all follow-up visits as told by your health care provider. This is important. You may need to have a colonoscopy.

Contact a health care provider if:

• Your pain does not improve.
• Your bowel movements do not return to normal.

Get help right away if:

• Your pain gets worse.
• Your symptoms do not get better with treatment.
• Your symptoms suddenly get worse.
• You have a fever.
• You vomit more than one time.
• You have stools that are bloody, black, or tarry.

Summary

• Diverticulitis is infection or inflammation of small pouches (diverticula) in the colon that form due to a condition called diverticulosis. Diverticula can trap stool (feces) and bacteria, causing infection and inflammation.
• You are at higher risk for this condition if you have diverticulosis and you eat a diet that does not include enough fiber.
• Most cases of this condition are mild and can be treated at home. More severe cases may need to be treated at a hospital.
• When your condition is under control, your health care provider may recommend that you have an exam called a colonoscopy. This exam can show how severe your diverticula are and whether something else may be causing your symptoms.
• Keep all follow-up visits as told by your health care provider. This is important.