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Stomachache
Pain in the lower right stomach
Stomachache gets worse when pressed
Belly button pain
Abdominal pain
Right lower abdominal pain
Abdominal tenderness
Not seeing your symptoms? No worries!
What is Diverticulitis?
Diverticular disease is a group of conditions in which tiny pouches (diverticula) form in the colon. These pouches bulge out through weak spots in your colon. The pouches can become inflamed (red, swollen) or infected. When the pouches are infected, the condition is called diverticulitis. Risk factors include chronic constipation, aging, obesity and a sedentary lifestyle.
Typical Symptoms of Diverticulitis
- Stomach or abdominal pain in a specific area
- History of diverticulitis or diverticular bleeding - small pouches in the intestines
- Constipation with urge to go but unable to pass stool
- Stomach or abdominal pain
- Pain in the lower left abdomen
- Stomach pain that worsens when the stomach is pressed
- Pain in the lower right abdomen
- Persistent stomach or abdominal pain
Diagnostic Questions for Diverticulitis
Your doctor may ask these questions to check for this disease:
- Do you have stomach or abdominal pain in a specific area?
- Have you been diagnosed with diverticula or diverticulitis?
- Do you have constipation where you feel the urge to go but can't pass stool?
- Do you have any stomach or abdominal pain?
- Do you feel pain in your lower left abdomen?
Treatment of Diverticulitis
Treatment typically includes a liquid/light diet and antibiotics until symptoms improve. In severe cases with complications or those who don't respond to medical treatment, surgery may be needed.
Reviewed By:
Samantha Nazareth, MD (Gastroenterology)
Board-certified gastroenterologist. Experience managing gastrointestinal conditions (GERD, IBS, ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s, celiac disease, NASH) within healthcare organizations (three ambulatory surgical centers, single-specialty practice, multi-specialty practice and solo practice).
Aiko Yoshioka, MD (Gastroenterology)
Dr. Yoshioka graduated from the Niigata University School of Medicine. He worked as a gastroenterologist at Saiseikai Niigata Hospital and Niigata University Medical & Dental Hospital before serving as the Deputy Chief of Gastroenterology at Tsubame Rosai Hospital and Nagaoka Red Cross Hospital. Dr. Yoshioka joined Saitama Saiseikai Kawaguchi General Hospital as Chief of Gastroenterology in April 2018.
Content updated on Mar 31, 2024
Following the Medical Content Editorial Policy
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People with similar symptoms also use Ubie's symptom checker to find possible causes
- I have lower abdominal pain
- I have left lower abdominal pain
- Upper left abdominal pain
- Upper right abdominal pain
- Have periodic abdominal pain
- Have pelvic pain
- Sharp abdominal pain
- Stomach pain with diarrhea
- Localized abdominal pain
- Flank pain
See full list
Symptoms Related to Diverticulitis
Diseases Related to Diverticulitis
FAQs
Q.
Diverticulitis in Women 30-45: Signs, Relief & Next Steps
A.
Diverticulitis in women 30 to 45 can cause steady lower left abdominal pain, fever, nausea or constipation, and tenderness, and it is sometimes mistaken for ovarian, pelvic, urinary, or IBS issues. Diagnosis often involves an exam, labs, and a CT to confirm and rule out complications; mild cases may improve with a short clear-liquid phase, gradual diet reintroduction, and sometimes antibiotics, but seek urgent care for severe or worsening pain, high fever, persistent vomiting, or a very tender or rigid abdomen. There are several factors to consider for prevention, recurrence risk, and exact next steps, so see the complete details below.
References:
* Stollman, N., & Raskin, J. B. (2017). Diverticulitis in young patients: a systematic review. *Diseases of the Colon & Rectum*, *60*(7), 779-786.
* Tursi, A., & Elisei, W. (2018). Acute diverticulitis: diagnosis and treatment. *Gastroenterology and Hepatology from Bed to Bench*, *11*(1), 1-10.
* Khan, N. R., Gafurov, T., Kim, M., & Park, J. (2018). Risk factors for recurrent diverticulitis: A systematic review and meta-analysis. *Journal of Surgical Research*, *222*, 1-13.
* Strate, L. L., & Shaukat, A. (2021). Impact of female sex hormones on the development and progression of diverticular disease and diverticulitis. *World Journal of Gastroenterology*, *27*(20), 2530-2541.
* Stupnik, T., & Košir, R. (2017). Management of acute uncomplicated diverticulitis: a systematic review of the literature. *Langenbeck's Archives of Surgery*, *402*(7), 987-994.
Q.
Poop and Diverticulitis: What’s Normal & When to Worry
A.
With diverticulitis, constipation or diarrhea, temporary narrow or ribbon-like stools, and small amounts of mucus can be normal during a flare and often improve as inflammation settles. Get medical help for blood or black stools, pus or foul discharge, severe or worsening abdominal pain, persistent constipation with pain or vomiting, severe diarrhea with fever or dehydration, inability to pass stool or gas, ongoing vomiting, or heavy bleeding. There are several factors to consider for diet, symptom tracking, and ruling out other conditions, so see below for important details that can guide your next steps.
References:
* Ejtehadi F, Ejtehadi M, Zare D. Association of Constipation with Diverticular Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Dig Dis Sci. 2022 Jul;67(7):2844-2852. doi: 10.1007/s10620-021-07198-4. Epub 2021 Sep 11. PMID: 34509930.
* Peery AF. Dietary fiber and diverticular disease: a systematic review. World J Gastroenterol. 2019 Jun 14;25(22):2713-2723. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v25.i22.2713. PMID: 31210714.
* Strate LL, Morris AM. Epidemiology, Pathophysiology, and Treatment of Diverticulitis. Gastroenterology. 2019 Jun;156(6):1589-1604.e1. doi: 10.1053/j.gastro.2018.12.033. Epub 2019 Jan 10. PMID: 30639201.
* Tursi A. Diverticulosis and diverticular disease: an update on the role of microbiota. J Clin Gastroenterol. 2017 Jul;51(6):479-482. doi: 10.1097/MCG.0000000000000832. PMID: 28549019.
* Weizman AV, Nguyen GC. Diverticular Disease: Epidemiology and Management. Can J Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2017;2017:4839810. doi: 10.1155/2017/4839810. Epub 2017 Feb 14. PMID: 28286705.
Q.
Is It a Diverticulitis Flare? How Your Stool Changes During Inflammation
A.
Stool changes during a diverticulitis flare can include constipation, diarrhea, alternating patterns, narrow ribbon-like stools, mucus, or blood, often alongside lower left abdominal pain, bloating, fever, or nausea. There are several factors to consider, and the complete guidance on what each change can mean is outlined below. Seek medical care urgently for severe or worsening pain, persistent fever, vomiting, significant bleeding, or black stools, and follow gentle care steps during flares until evaluated. See below for how to tell this apart from IBS or infections and for step-by-step next actions that could change your care plan.
References:
* Barbara G, Cremon C, Stanghellini V. The gut microbiota and its role in diverticular disease. Minerva Gastroenterol Dietol. 2019 Jun;65(2):112-120. doi: 10.23736/S1121-421X.19.02568-7. Epub 2019 Jul 22. PMID: 31336184.
* Tursi A. Inflammation in diverticular disease. J Gastrointestin Liver Dis. 2012 Mar;21(1):15-9. PMID: 22420953.
* Sartelli M, Catena F, Coccolini F, et al. Acute Diverticulitis: A Systematic Review. J Clin Med. 2019 Jul 29;8(8):1136. doi: 10.3390/jcm8081136. PMID: 31362744; PMCID: PMC6723223.
* Maconi G, D'Arrigo M, Mariani A, et al. Diverticular Disease: A Comprehensive Review. Nutrients. 2021 Jul 15;13(7):2400. doi: 10.3390/nu13072400. PMID: 34293967; PMCID: PMC8308892.
* Takahashi T, Matsunaga Y, Ueno M, et al. Changes in Gut Microbiota and Metabolome in Patients with Diverticular Disease. Int J Mol Sci. 2022 May 26;23(11):5927. doi: 10.3390/ijms23115927. PMID: 35740441; PMCID: PMC9180775.
Q.
What dietary considerations should be made for diverticulitis, including a high fiber diet for diverticulosis?
A.
Diverticulitis and diverticulosis are conditions related to the formation of diverticula (small pouches) in the colon. While diverticulosis is often asymptomatic, diverticulitis can cause significant discomfort and requires dietary management.
References:
Tursi A, Elisei W. Diet in colonic diverticulosis: is it useful? Pol Arch Intern Med. 2020 Mar 27;130(3):232-239. doi: 10.20452/pamw.15199. Epub 2020 Feb 20. PMID: 32077444.
Carabotti M, Falangone F, Cuomo R, Annibale B. Role of Dietary Habits in the Prevention of Diverticular Disease Complications: A Systematic Review. Nutrients. 2021 Apr 14;13(4):1288. doi: 10.3390/nu13041288. PMID: 33919755; PMCID: PMC8070710.
Polese B, Carabotti M, Rurgo S, Ritieni C, Sarnelli G, Barbara G, Pace F, Cuomo R, Annibale B; Remad Group. Patients with Diverticular Disease Have Different Dietary Habits Compared to Control Subjects: Results from an Observational Italian Study. Nutrients. 2023 Apr 28;15(9):2119. doi: 10.3390/nu15092119. PMID: 37432301; PMCID: PMC10180998.
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Ubie’s symptom checker demonstrated a Top-10 hit accuracy of 71.6%, surpassing the performance of several leading symptom checkers in the market, which averaged around 60% accuracy in similar assessments.
Link to full study:
https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2024.08.29.24312810v1References
Wilkins T, Embry K, George R. Diagnosis and management of acute diverticulitis. Am Fam Physician. 2013 May 1;87(9):612-20. PMID: 23668524.
https://www.aafp.org/pubs/afp/issues/2013/0501/p612.htmlEllison DL. Acute Diverticulitis Management. Crit Care Nurs Clin North Am. 2018 Mar;30(1):67-74. doi: 10.1016/j.cnc.2017.10.006. Epub 2017 Nov 29. PMID: 29413216.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0899588517300941?via%3DihubSymer M, Yeo HL. Nonoperative Treatment of Diverticulitis. Adv Surg. 2021 Sep;55:49-56. doi: 10.1016/j.yasu.2021.05.004. Epub 2021 Jul 6. PMID: 34389099.
https://www.advancessurgery.com/article/S0065-3411(21)00004-X/fulltextAmerican College of Gastroenterology
https://gi.org/topics/diverticulosis-and-diverticulitis/