Diverticular Disease

Many individuals who develop diverticular disease will no display symptoms. In a small percentage of individuals diverticulitis (the active phase of the disease) might occur and the following symptoms may present themselves: 

1) Diarrhoea: Diarrhoea is characterised by large, frequent, watery bowel movements. Constant loss of fluid via diarrhoea may lead to dehydration. If this symptom is severe replenishing of fluids is necessary. If this cannot be done in the home an individual my require hospitalisation.

 OR

    Increased constipation: Constipation is characterised by failure of the body to eliminate faecal matter, despite the individual feeling the urge to do so. Constipation can result in feeling bloated and lethargic and in extreme cases (if left untreated) may even results in toxicity in the body. If constipation remains untreated if may also worsen or cause diverticulitis in an individual.

2) Abdominal Pain or cramps: This is commonly the feeling of pain or tenderness around the abdominal area (the stomach region or belly). Abdominal pain is the most common symptom of diverticulitis and tends to present as tenderness around the lower left side of the abdomen- this is typically indicative of inflammation of the diverticula due to infection.

The severity of the pain is not always indicative of seriousness of the condition as a mild condition may result in extreme pain, whereas a serious condition may result in mild pain. Rather the suddenness of the onset should be used to judge severity of the condition. Abdominal pain caused by diverticulitis tends to be steady, sever and deep.

3) Abdominal Bloating: This symptom is characterised by feelings of tightness and fullness within the abdominal area and is usually due to a build up in pressure or gas.

4) Steatorrhoea: This term refers to the presence of excess amounts of fat in the stool due to malabsorption in the gastrointestinal tract. Stools appear to be bulky, light in colour and tend to float in surrounding water. Diarrhoea is a common symptom accompanying steatorrhoea.

5)           Nausea: An uneasy sensation in the abdomen that occurs as a result of the inflammation of the diverticula and the presence of infection within them.

6)           Vomiting: The expulsion of food stuffs or bile via the oesophagus and through the mouth. Vomiting generally follows nausea.

7)           Fever: A condition marked by elevated temperatures, sweating, cold clammy hands and in extreme circumstances the individual may become delirious.

           Excessive flatulence and Distension: Excess passing of gas and accompanied by bloating around the abdominal area may indicative of diverticulitis.

9)           Polyuria, Dysuria and Pyuria:

a. Polyuria: An increase in frequency of urination i.e. a person finds themselves needing to go to the toilet more often.

b. Dysuria: Pain upon urination.

   c. Pyuiria: The presence of pus or white    blood cells in the urine, urine often presents as cloudy if pus is present.
 

These symptoms occurs if the bladder or ureters have been irritated in someway due to the presence of inflamed diverticula.  

The severity of any of these symptoms is dependent on the degree of inflammation and extent of infection of the diverticula.

If a person is experiencing any of the aforementioned symptoms, a visit to the doctor would be recommended. Self-diagnosing is not wise as these symptoms are similar to those of other gastro-intestinal disorders.

Most doctors will treat these acute symptoms with a course of antibiotics and a liquid diet until the diverticula cease to be inflamed.

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