Almost 50% of Americans have this disease before they hit 60. The likelihood of experiencing the disease after that, is nearly 100%. Only a very small percentage of individuals experience any kind of diverticulitis symptoms.
Diverticulosis is a term that is used to describe pockets, called diverticula, that form in the colon wall. Identified as diverticulitis when they become inflamed or infected.
Many individuals with diverticular disease will experience no diverticulitis symptoms. In these cases, these individuals are in the inactive phase of the disease (diverticulosis). However for those individuals with diverticulitis, the active phase of the disease, they might experience any of the following symptoms:
Common Diverticulitis Symptoms:
1. Diarrhea: Loose and free flowing bowels
2. Constipation: Dry, hard and small stools that happen less than 3 times per week.
3. Stomach pain or Cramps: These are the two most common diverticulitis symptoms. It is very difficult to gage the seriousness based on pain. A mild condition may be very painful, while a more serious condition may only cause mild pain.
4. Abdominal bloating: Feeling of tightness, and fullness in the abdomen.
5. Steatorrhoea: Excess amounts of fat in the stool. Bulky, light colored stools that float.
6. Nausea: Due to inflammation of the diverticula and infection.
7. Vomiting: Expulsion of food or liquid from the stomach.
8. Fever: Elevation of the body’s internal temperature
9. Flatulence and distention: Bloating and excessive passing of gas.
10. Polyuria, Dysuria, & Pyuiria
Polyuria: Increased urination
Dysuria: Painful urination
Pyuiria: Pus or white blood cells in the urine. The urine may take on a cloudy appearance. These 3 symptoms occur when the bladder or ureters are irritated because of diverticula that are inflamed.
The severity of diverticulitis symptoms are dependent upon how much inflammation and infection have occurred. These symptoms may also be indicative of other gastro-intestinal disorders. In many cases, antibiotics and a liquid diet will be prescribed until the diverticula are no longer inflamed. There are also specific diet guidelines that will help decrease the amount flare ups. If you see any of these symptoms please go see a doctor.