Diverticulitis: Risks of Untreated Inflammation & Infection

Diverticulitis occurs when small pouches (diverticula) in the colon become inflamed or infected. While many diverticula are asymptomatic, untreated diverticulitis can lead to serious complications:

• Abscess formation: Infection spreads to surrounding tissues, creating painful pus collections requiring drainage.
• Perforation: Ruptured diverticula spill infectious material into the abdominal cavity, causing life-threatening peritonitis.
• Fistula formation: Abnormal connections between the colon and other organs (bladder, vagina, small intestine) causing pain, fever, incontinence.
• Obstruction: Scarring from inflammation narrows the colon (strictures), leading to pain, constipation, bloating.
• Bleeding: Inflamed diverticula may bleed into the colon, ranging from mild to severe.
• Sepsis: Systemic inflammatory response to bloodstream infection, a medical emergency.

Most cases respond well to antibiotics, pain relief, and dietary changes. However, untreated diverticulitis often requires hospitalization and surgery. Prompt medical attention is essential.