In about 95 out of 100 people, uncomplicated diverticulitis goes away on its own within a week. In about 5 out of 100 people, the symptoms stay and treatment is needed.
However, when pain is present, it may last for several days after treatment starts. For complicated cases of diverticulitis, the pain may last longer. If the pain doesn't improve after treatment starts, is severe, or lasts for more than several days, it's important to be examined by a healthcare provider.
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.
Common symptoms of diverticulitis include: Constant abdominal pain that lasts for days, typically on the lower left side of the abdomen (although some people experience it on the lower right side)
Symptoms of diverticulitis are more severe and often start suddenly, but they may become worse over a few days. They include: Tenderness, usually in the left lower part of the abdomen. Bloating or gas.
Diverticulitis shares most of the symptoms of diverticular disease (see above). However, the pain associated with diverticulitis is constant and severe, rather than intermittent. It is most likely to occur if you have previously had symptoms of diverticular disease, and develops over a day or 2.
It is common to have lower belly pain after recovering from an attack of diverticulitis. But this pain doesn't always mean it's returned.
In about 95 out of 100 people, uncomplicated diverticulitis goes away on its own within a week. In about 5 out of 100 people, the symptoms stay and treatment is needed. Surgery is only rarely necessary.
However, you should seek immediate medical attention if your symptoms are not going away or you are feeling worse, such as having increasing pain, fever, bloody stools, or abdominal bloating with vomiting. Treatment depends on whether you have uncomplicated or complicated diverticulitis.
Diverticulitis Recovery Time
This can take as long as two weeks. But, you'll begin to feel better in as short as 24-hours. If you experience any complications or must receive surgery, your recovery time will take longer.
Home remedies for diverticulitis that may be recommended include following a liquid diet, increasing your intake of fiber and anti-inflammatory foods, avoiding red meat and high-fat foods, cutting back on alcohol, exercising, and trying certain supplements.
As the name implies, chronic diverticulitis is a variant of diverticulitis in which symptoms can persist for 6 months to 1 year or longer [8]. In our study, the mean duration of symptoms at the time of presentation was 11 months, and one patient had symptoms for as long as 3 years.
After you go home, you may have diarrhea on and off during the first month. It takes about three months for the bowels to learn their “new normal.” You'll need to avoid heavy lifting for six to eight weeks to prevent a hernia.
Diverticulitis is uncomplicated 80% of the time. But severe or persistent diverticulitis can lead to complications such as: Gastrointestinal bleeding: Bleeding from diverticula can be severe and lead to anemia. Intestinal obstruction: Severe swelling might cause your colon to temporarily narrow.
Blood in your stools. Fever above 100.4°F (38°C) that does not go away. Nausea, vomiting, or chills. Sudden belly or back pain that gets worse or is very severe.
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.
Constipation and straining during bowel movements can worsen the condition. A diet rich in fiber can help keep stools soft and prevent inflammation. Diverticulitis occurs when the pouches in the colon become infected or inflamed.
When infection of the diverticulum occurs, it can manifest with a spectrum of symptoms such as pain, fever, diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting and bloody stools. Right-sided diverticulitis (RSD) may mimic several abdominal emergencies such as cholecystitis, appendicitis or epiploic appendagitis.
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.
Stay with liquids or a bland diet (plain rice, bananas, dry toast or crackers, applesauce) until you are feeling better. Then you can return to regular foods and slowly increase the amount of fibre in your diet. Use a heating pad set on low on your belly to relieve mild cramps and pain.
“Generally speaking, inflammation from diverticulitis can cause scar tissue formation and breakdown of the colon wall, and if the colon wall develops a hole, then an abscess will form,” warns Will Bulsiewicz, MD, a gastroenterologist and gut health expert in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina.
Diverticulosis: You can have it for years and never know — if you take care of yourself. About one or two percent of patients under 30 experience diverticulosis while people age 60 and older have some degree of the condition.