What are the symptoms of diverticulitis and diverticular disease?
Many people with diverticula do not have any symptoms. However, as more diverticula form, the colon becomes increasingly narrow and this can cause problems. In addition, in some people with diverticula the muscle of the colon thickens making it increasingly narrow – this combination of diverticula and abnormal muscle is referred to as diverticular disease. The symptoms of diverticular disease include pain along the course of the colon and a change in bowel habit, with the passage of broken pellet-like stools after considerable straining. A bloated feeling is another common symptom. Occasionally, small amounts of blood may be passed with bowel motions. These symptoms are very similar to those experienced in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Acute diverticulitis occurs when one or more diverticula become inflamed as a result of infection. Pain is usually felt in the lower left side of the abdomen but sometimes occurs on the right side. Other symptoms include a raised temperature (fever), a
