Diverticulitis Pain Symptoms

Diverticulitis is a digestive disorder whereby pouches in the colon, or large intestine, become inflamed. Pouches are formed on the wall of the colon when there is significant pressure. Pressure can occur from a blockage or when the colon tries to pass a large or hard stool. The resulting pouches are vulnerable to bacteria, leading to inflammation and infection. The symptoms of diverticulitis are painful and can last for several hours or a week or more.

Stomach

• The most common symptom of diverticulitis is a throbbing pain in the stomach. The pain is usually experienced on the left side of the body and on the lower part of the stomach. It comes on suddenly and becomes progressively worse over time. Changing positions may cause the severity of this pain to increase.

Hot and Cold

• The presence of a fever typically accompanies any infection, and this is no different for sufferers of diverticulitis. In addition to having a fever, diverticulitis sufferers experience episodes of the chills.

Bowel Movements

• Constipation is another symptom of diverticulitis and can be painful. Individuals who have fewer than three bowel movements per week meet the criteria for constipation. When a person is not constipated, stools are soft and are able to be passed without much straining. Constipated individuals put more pressure on the colon during bowel movements, which can lead to hemorrhoids and bleeding.

Prevention

• Approximately 10% of people over the age of 40, and nearly half of people over 60, have diverticulitis. The best defense against the painful symptoms of diverticulitis is to have good digestive health. Drinking enough water and getting enough exercise both aid in the digestive process. Eating plenty of fiber-enriched foods is also beneficial because fiber helps to soften the stool, making it less likely to cause a blockage and easier to pass during a bowl movement. Fruits, vegetables, beans, and whole grain breads or cereals are all good sources of fiber.

Treatments

• Pain medications may be prescribed to help alleviate painful symptoms of diverticulitis. Anti-biotics may also be required to combat the infection. Maintaining a strict liquid diet for a few days may also be able to stop the pain. However, episodes of diverticulitis can be severe enough to require a hospital admission for intravenous fluids or surgery.

Misconceptions

• Some doctors advise patients diagnosed with diverticulitis to avoid foods with seeds. It is believed that these seeds can become lodged in one of the pouches in the digestive track and result in inflammation or infection. Therefore, doctors recommended to avoid vegetables such as tomatoes, cucumbers and zucchini, fruits including strawberries and raspberries and even poppy seed bagels. However, there is no actual scientific evidence to support the idea that these foods make individuals more prone to diverticulitis.