Severe diverticulitis may lead to complications that require immediate medical attention.
Illustration by Mira Norian for Verywell Health
What Is a Severe Attack of Diverticulitis?
Having diverticula (the plural for diverticulum) in your colon is calleddiverticulosis.
Illustration by Mira Norian for Verywell Health
The condition of having inflamed or infected diverticula is calleddiverticulitis.
Diverticulosis and diverticulitis are both known asdiverticular disease.
A severe diverticulitis attack usually comes on suddenly.
It is important to seek medical attention if you have any of these symptoms.
If left untreated, severe diverticulitis can progress into widespread infection.
Abdominal Pain
Abdominal pain is one of the most common symptoms of diverticulitis.
It is most often felt in the lower left side of your abdomen.
Pain may also be felt on the right side or in the middle of the lower abdomen.
Abdominal pain and tenderness in a severe diverticulitis attack tend to be persistent and continuous for several days.
You might also experience bloating (swelling or feeling of fullness) in the abdomen.
Fever
A diverticulitis flare-up may bring on a fever of 100.4 degrees F or higher.
Fever may be accompanied by chills.
Nausea and Vomiting
Nausea may lead to decreased appetite during severe diverticulitis.
In some cases, you might also experience vomiting.
Constipation or Diarrhea
Achange in bowel habitsoften occurs during a diverticulitis flare-up.
Constipation is more common in someone with diverticulitis.
However, sometimes you may experience loose stools and diarrhea.
In severe cases, stool may have mucus or blood in it.
Can You Tell If Your Diverticulum Has Burst?
A perforated diverticulum may allow bacteria from the bowel to leak into the abdominal cavity.
This can lead toperitonitisan infection of the tissue that lines the abdominal cavity and organs in the abdomen.
A burst diverticulum is a medical emergency and should be treated right away.
They will also perform a physical exam.
This is because they often present with similar symptoms.
These include:
ER Treatment for Severe Diverticulitis
Severe diverticulitis generally warrants treatment in the hospital.
This is especially true if you have developed any complications or have a high risk for complications.
This is called acolectomyor colon resection.
Surgery is usually recommended to treat diverticulitis complications such as perforations, peritonitis, fistulas, and intestinal obstructions.
As you are recovered, you may also be counseled to exercise regularly to help prevent future diverticulitis flare-ups.
Your healthcare provider may also recommend acolonoscopyafter fully recovering from diverticulitis to rule out colon cancer.
Summary
Diverticulitis is inflammation or infection of diverticula in the colon.
Severe diverticulitis symptoms include persistent abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, fever, and constipation.
Severe diverticulitis may lead to complications that require immediate medical attention.
It may also lead to a serious complication known as peritonitis.
Other potential complications of diverticulitis include abscess, fistula, and intestinal obstruction.
In some cases, diverticulitis may be treated with antibiotics, pain medication, and bowel rest.
However, more severe cases may require surgery.
You may need to recover in the hospital for a short time until your symptoms improve.
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National Library of Medicine.Diverticulitis and diverticulosis - discharge.
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Definition & facts for diverticular disease.
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Diagnosis of diverticular disease.
Khalil HA, Yoo J.Colorectal emergencies: perforated diverticulitis (operative and nonoperative management).J Gastrointest Surg.
American Gastroenterological Association.A patient guide: managing diverticulitis.Gastroenterology.
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