Diverticulosis is common, especially with age, and often causes no symptoms. When a pouch becomes inflamed or infected (diverticulitis), people can develop left lower abdominal pain, fever, and changes in bowel habits. Most episodes are uncomplicated and treated with diet changes and sometimes antibiotics; more severe or recurrent attacks may require hospitalization, procedures, or surgery.
Diverticulosis is usually silent. Diverticulitis typically causes localized abdominal pain, often with fever and bowel changes; complications can include abscess, perforation, or bleeding.
Call the office if you have recurring left-sided abdominal pain, fevers, or bowel changes, or if you’ve been treated for diverticulitis before and symptoms return or do not improve as expected.
Seek emergency care for severe abdominal pain, high fever, uncontrolled vomiting, rigid or very tender abdomen, or signs of sepsis (confusion, rapid heart rate, feeling very ill).
Evaluation for suspected diverticulitis includes history, examination, and often imaging such as CT scan to confirm inflammation and rule out complications. Colonoscopy may be recommended later, once acute inflammation resolves, to assess the colon.
Mild diverticulitis may be treated as an outpatient with diet modification and medications. More severe cases may require IV antibiotics, hospitalization, drainage of abscesses, or surgery. Long-term management includes colon health and recurrence prevention.
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