Diverticulitis Symptoms

Diverticulitis is a digestive disease that develops from diverticulosis, but should not be confused with diverticulosis. The large intestine is predominantly involved with diverticulitis, a disease that stems from having diverticula in the colon. These diverticula are actually small filled pouches that appear in the weakened lining of muscle and this condition is known as diverticulosis. When the condition is active it is referred to as diverticular disease. Diverticulitis symptoms may result from this digestive disease when these small pouches become inflamed.

There may be no symptoms or warning associated with the conditions of diverticulosis. At other times, the person may experience some forms of bloating, mild constipation and cramps. These particular diverticulitis symptoms present with many other conditions as well, so they do not necessarily mean that they are related to this one.

There are many specific symptoms associated with diverticulitis however, which includes sudden and sharp pain in the lower left abdomen. This pain may start out mild and become increasingly worse over a period of days. The abdomen may also feel tender when touched. It also has a tendency to get worse as the day goes on.

There is the possibility of infection, so an elevated white blood cell count (leukocytosis) will be one sign accompanied by a fever in most cases. It is also possible for the white blood cell count to be elevated with no fever present. In most cases of infection there will be nausea and possible vomiting.

Bowel habits will most likely change and can go in either direction and often times both. It may go back and forth between diarrhea and constipation. Cramping is also usually associated with the bowel problems. The extent of infection will have a lot to do with the severity of the diverticulitis symptoms that are present.

The only suspected cause of diverticulitis is that over time the increased pressure of the colon causes weakening of muscle and the diverticula are allowed to develop. These diverticula are suspected of trapping materials that result in infection and decreasing blood flow which causes inflammation. This inflammation is one of the primary causes of diverticulitis symptoms. Many foods were once suspected of contributing to diverticulitis, but this was found to be unsubstantiated.

Diverticulitis tends to occur in people over the age of forty. Those that fall into the higher risk category are individuals that are overweight, do not consume enough fiber and do not get enough exercise. There is no guarantee that this will not become a problem for any individual however, but following these guidelines may help reduce the chances.

Initial treatment of diverticulitis symptoms will most likely be a few days of liquids, antibiotics and rest followed by a high fiber diet. If the condition is more serious and requires treatment for a blockage, surgery may become necessary. Three types of surgery are generally performed for diverticulitis including a primary bowel resection - removing the diseased section of intestine; a bowel resection with colostomy - this is done due to extreme inflammation and can be temporary or permanent; and abscess drainage, which is performed by using a needle with the assistance of ultrasound.

Some important things that can be done now to prevent symptoms of diverticulitis from happening later are very simple and can be done at home. Drink water every day - every part of the body needs it. When the urge to use the bathroom hits, do not try to wait go immediately. Try to get in some form of exercise every day. And increase you fiber intake now or be forced to later.