"Occasional abdominal pain and discomfort is often nothing to worry about, but severe or ongoing abdominal pain should never be ignored," says Semyon (Sam) Gambarin, MD, General Surgery at ARC Far West Medical Tower. "Your symptoms could indicate diverticulitis, a common condition that affects the large intestine and can range from mild to severe."
What is diverticulitis?
Diverticulitis occurs when small pouches called diverticula form in the wall of the colon and become inflamed or infected. These pouches are common as people age and, by themselves, are known as diverticulosis. Many people with diverticulosis never have problems.
When one or more of these pouches develop inflammation or infection, the condition becomes diverticulitis. The affected area of the bowel can become swollen and painful, sometimes requiring medical care or even surgery if complications occur.
What are the symptoms of diverticulitis?
The most common symptom of diverticulitis is pain in the lower left abdomen. The pain may start suddenly or gradually worsen over several days.
Other common symptoms include:
- Fever or chills
- Nausea or vomiting
- Constipation or diarrhea
- Bloating
- Tenderness in the abdomen
- Changes in normal bowel habits
- Decreased appetite
What causes diverticulitis to develop in the intestines?
Doctors do not know the exact causes of diverticulitis, but they believe it develops when bacteria become trapped in a diverticulum, leading to infection and inflammation of the lining of the colon.
Several risk factors can increase your chances of developing diverticulitis, including:
- Getting older
- Eating a low-fiber diet
- Obesity
- Smoking
- Lack of regular exercise
- Certain medications, such as long-term use of NSAIDs
- Constipation
How is diverticulitis treated?
Treatment depends on how severe the condition is. A surgeon or advanced practice clinician (APC) can evaluate your symptoms and recommend the right treatment, whether that involves antibiotics, lifestyle changes, or surgery. Mild cases can often be treated at home with rest, a temporary change in diet, and antibiotics if your clinician recommends them.
More severe cases may require hospitalization for IV fluids and medications. If the infection does not improve or complications develop, a surgeon or APC may recommend surgery to remove the damaged portion of the colon. "Most people with diverticulitis recover without surgery," says Dr. Gambarin. "When surgery is needed, minimally invasive techniques can often shorten recovery time. In some cases, though, an open procedure may still be the safest option based on the severity of the disease and the patient's overall health."
Learn more about robotic and laparoscopic surgery at ARC.
When should you seek medical care for diverticulitis?
If you have ongoing abdominal pain, especially on the lower left side, don't ignore it. Early diagnosis and treatment can help prevent complications.
Seek medical care if you have:
- Abdominal pain that is severe or does not improve
- Fever or chills
- Nausea or vomiting that won't go away
- Changes in bowel habits that last several days
- Blood in your stool
Go to the emergency room right away if you have:
- Severe abdominal pain that comes on suddenly
- A high fever with worsening symptoms
- Persistent vomiting or you cannot keep fluids down
- Severe weakness, dizziness, or fainting
"As with many conditions, early evaluation is important," says Courtney S. Chesanek, PA-C, General Surgery at ARC Far West Medical Tower. "Getting the right diagnosis and treatment early can help prevent complications and get you feeling better sooner."
About ARC General Surgery
ARC General Surgery provides expert, board-certified care for a wide range of conditions and procedures. ARC general surgeons have specialized knowledge and experience related to diagnosis, pre-operative, operative, and post-operative management, combined with a patient-centered philosophy of coordinated care.
At ARC, we provide the most up-to-date surgical and treatment options available.
ARC general surgeons perform major and minor surgical procedures at a number of locations, including outpatient surgery centers and area hospitals.
Book an appointment today
Dr. Gambarin and Courtney both are accepting new patients ages 16 and older at ARC Far West Medical Tower. To make an appointment, use ARC MyChart or call 512-272-4636 (512-ARC-INFO) and choose option "1".