Understanding Acute Diverticulitis: Symptoms, Causes & Treatment

Acute diverticulitis occurs when one or more diverticula in your digestive tract become inflamed or infected. Diverticula are small, bulging pouches that can form anywhere in the digestive system but are commonly found in the large intestine.

Complicated Diverticulitis

• Complicated diverticulitis may require removal of part of the colon due to abscess, a hole in the colon wall, a fistula or repeated inflammation.

Uncomplicated Diverticulitis

• The treatment for mild symptoms typically is a liquid or low-fiber diet and antibiotics.

Symptoms

• Symptoms of acute diverticulitis may include chills, fever, nausea, vomiting, weight loss and pain in the lower, left side of the abdomen

Diagnosis

• Your doctor will diagnose acute diverticulitis by examining your abdomen for tenderness, taking a blood test to see if there is a high white cell count indicating an infection, or a CT scan.

Considerations

• Diverticulitis occurs in people over the age of 40 while acute diverticulitis is common in those over 60.