Diverticulitis Symptoms

Diverticulosis by itself may not cause any symptoms and is a benign condition. But it can present in different ways including severe bleeding, abscess formation or perforation of the colon leading to sepsis. Additionally, if you have recurrent diverticulitis, that can cause stricture or narrowing of the colon causing blockage or fistula formation to the surrounding organs. Although diverticulitis can involve any portion of the colon but most common area of involvement of diverticulitis is sigmoid colon. Usual symptoms are abdominal pain and tenderness around the affected part of the colon. Diverticulitis commonly affects Sigmoid colon. Consequently, it causes abdominal pain in left lower abdominal area, fever and cramping. 

Our knowledge for diverticulitis is an evolving and many behavior and environmental factors can influence the development of diverticular disease.
-The decision to perform elective surgery after several episodes of diverticulitis should be individualized and needs a discussion with your colorectal surgeon.
-You may need prophylactic sigmoid colectomy to prevent recurrent diverticulitis or its complications.
-Tobacco cessation, weight loss & exercise and reduced meat intake help to reduce the risk of diverticulitis.
– Diverticulitis with abscess formation usually need antibiotic treatment and sometimes drainage in the hospital. Surgical intervention may be required sometimes in the same hospital admission.
– You may need elective surgical intervention usually after the successful medical management for diverticulitis with abscess.
-Patents may need elective surgical intervention for diverticulitis with complications like fistulas, stricture or narrowing of colon or obstruction of colon.
-Elective colon resection should not be just based on the young age and rather it should be individualized.