What is Diverticulitis?

To get diverticulitis, your body must first be experiencing something called diverticulosis, which happens when pouches called diverticula form on the wall of the colon.

Diverticulitis is the painful condition that happens when these pouches become infected or inflamed. Doctors aren’t sure why the pouches form in the first place, but it may have to do with a low fiber diet.

When you aren’t getting enough fiber, your colon needs to work harder to move stool forward. This may cause the pouches to form along weak spots in the colon. When bacteria grow in those pouches, it can lead to an infection.

Symptoms may last from just a few hours to more than week. The most common symptom is belly pain on your lower left side that increases when you move (it may also occur on the right).

Other symptoms of Diverticulitis can include:

• Bloating

• Gas

• Diarrhea

• Constipation

• Fever and chills

• Lack of appetite

• Nausea and occasional vomiting

Treatment for diverticulitis can depend on the extent of the symptoms. It may be that you need to stop solid foods for a time. Your doctor may prescribe painkillers, as well as antibiotics, which you should take as directed.

If you’re dealing with cramps and mild stomach pain, try using a heating pad, and practice meditation or other relaxation tips.

Surgery may be necessary if other treatments aren’t effective, or if you have long-lasting pain, a bowel obstruction or an abscess.

As with some of the other conditions we’ve discussed, you might be able to prevent diverticulitis by drinking plenty of fluids, eating a high fiber diet and getting exercise.