Unusual presentations occur when infection tracts to distant locations. Diverticulitis is a common cause of intra-abdominal sepsis associated with high morbidity and mortality. The pathogenesis of intra-abdominal sepsis is not well understood, but likely involves circulating host inflammatory mediators.
Most people with diverticulitis recover completely. But, at its most severe, a pouch can burst open, spilling fecal matter directly into a person's bloodstream. This results in an immediate risk of developing a blood infection called sepsis, which can be life-threatening.
In more severe diverticulitis, when a perforation or an abscess is suspected, you may experience significant abdominal pain, an inability to tolerate food, constipation, or fever and chills. In this situation, NYU Langone doctors may recommend hospitalization for treatment and monitoring.
Peritonitis. In rare cases, an infected diverticulum (pouch in your colon) can split, spreading the infection into the lining of your abdomen (perforation). An infection of the lining of the abdomen is known as peritonitis. Peritonitis can be life-threatening, and requires immediate treatment with antibiotics.
Severe diverticulitis may lead to complications that require immediate medical attention. If a diverticulum has perforated (burst), it may cause an increase in the severity of your symptoms, as well as rapid heart rate, dizziness, light-headedness, or weakness.
Your doctor will look inside your large bowel to see if you have any diverticula. This will also help to rule out other conditions and find where any bleeding is coming from. An X-ray of your tummy. This can check for complications such as a hole (perforation) in your bowel.
Diverticulitis Recovery Timeline
Recovering from a flare-up of diverticulitis could take as long as two weeks. 1 The first few days of recovering from uncomplicated diverticulitis at home will include following a liquid diet, resting, and using recommended medications for pain relief.
In about 80 out of 100 people, complicated diverticulitis clears up within a few weeks of having treatment with antibiotics.
Diverticulitis is an intestinal disease that can cause fatigue in some people. The fatigue may be caused by infection, inflammation, or sleep disruption due to pain. It could also be related to nutritional deficiencies such as anemia, dehydration, medication side effects, or surgery.
In any case, if you experience any of the severe symptoms of diverticulitis or one of the symptoms that mimic something potentially more serious, you should go to the emergency room for treatment as soon as possible.
The infection is due in part to the bacteria that naturally live in the colon. The inflammation causes increased pressure in the diverticulum and discomfort for you. In severe cases, the pressure can cause the diverticulum to burst.
Stage IV: Fecal peritonitis results from the free perforation of a diverticulum.
Symptoms of diverticulitis are more severe and often start suddenly, but they may become worse over a few days.
Your doctor may diagnose your condition using: Abdominal and Pelvic CT: A CT scan is the best test to diagnose diverticulitis. It can also help determine the severity of the condition and guide treatment. You may receive an intravenous (IV) injection of contrast material.
You can get some fluids from the foods you eat—especially foods with high water content, such as most fruits and vegetables. Water is the best beverage choice to stay hydrated. Avoid or limit sugar-sweetened beverages, including regular soda, fruit drinks, sports drinks, energy drinks, and sweetened coffee and tea.
Change in bowel habits, either diarrhea (35%) or constipation (50%), can be associated with abdominal pain. Patients may also experience nausea and vomiting, possibly secondary to bowel obstruction. Fever is not uncommon in patients with abscesses and perforation.
The most common symptom of diverticulitis is belly or abdominal pain. The most common sign that you have it is feeling sore or sensitive on the left side of your lower belly. If infection is the cause, then you may have fever, nausea, vomiting, chills, cramping, and constipation. Diverticular colitis.
After the first admission, the 100 day relative survival in patients with uncomplicated diverticulitis was 97 % (CI 95 to 99), with abscess formation 79 % (62 to 89), with purulent peritonitis 84 % (69 to 92), with fecal peritonitis 44 % (10 to 74), and with intestinal obstruction 80 % (38 to 96).
They may also conduct other tests to help diagnose diverticulitis — including CT scans, ultrasounds of the abdomen, and x-rays of the abdomen. In most cases, diverticulitis can be treated at home with oral antibiotics, but if your condition is severe, a hospital stay may be required.
Mild cases of diverticulitis are usually treated with antibiotics and a low-fiber diet, or treatment may start with a period of rest where you eat nothing by mouth, then start with clear liquids and then move to a low-fiber diet until your condition improves. More-severe cases typically require hospitalization.