Diverticulitis Symptoms & Treatment

Diverticulitis occurs when small, bulging pouches within the digestive tract become infected or inflamed. Called diverticula, these pouches form when naturally weak areas in the colon give way to pressure and create small pockets that protrude through the colon wall. Usually, these pouches go relatively unnoticed; however, when they tear due to inflammation or infection, serious pain and complications can occur.

What Are the Symptoms of Diverticulitis?

There are a number of symptoms that point toward diverticulitis. These include:

• Persistent abdominal pain, usually within the lower left side of the belly
• Abdominal tenderness
• Fatigue
• Fever or chills
• Nausea and vomiting
• Constipation
• Bloating
• Diarrhea
• Rectal bleeding
• Blood in stool

Symptoms may occur suddenly or gradually build over the course of a few days.

Why Am I So Tired With Diverticulitis?

Some people with diverticulitis wonder how a digestive issue can cause so much fatigue. While the reasons for a patient’s tiredness can vary, dehydration is a common culprit. Diverticulitis symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, and fever can lead to dehydration that can easily make a person feel exhausted. The emotional and physical strain of dealing with a chronic illness can also contribute to tiredness, so it’s important to take care of yourself when dealing with an uncomfortable condition like diverticulitis.

How Is Diverticulitis Treated?

Treatments depend on the severity of each case. For uncomplicated diverticulitis, the following approaches may be recommended:

• Antibiotics
• A liquid diet until your bowl heals
• Over-the-counter pain relievers

Severe cases of diverticulitis demand more aggressive treatments, including:

• Hospitalization
• Intravenous antibiotics
• Insertion of a tube to drain potential abscesses

In some instances, severe diverticulitis may require surgery. This is usually due to complications such as an abscess, bowel obstruction, fistula, or a perforation. Depending on the amount of inflammation, patients may require a minimally invasive laparoscopic procedure or an open surgery involving a bowel resection with colostomy.

Early detection can go a long way toward avoiding the need for surgery, so promptly visit your doctor or go to an urgent care center if you exhibit any troubling symptoms. It’s especially important to seek urgent medical care if abdominal pain occurs alongside fever and diarrhea or constipation.

Reliable Urgent Care for Diverticulitis Symptoms

PhysicianOne Urgent Care’s top-rated locations in Connecticut, Massachusetts, and New York offer treatment for diverticulitis symptoms 365 days per year during extended hours. Our physician-led team has access to advanced technologies and routinely treats patients with diverticulitis symptoms, so you can be assured that your health is in the most of capable hands as our patient. Plus, we make it simple to receive timely treatment for diverticulitis by offering convenient appointment scheduling as well as walk-in availability.

Of course, we understand that some diverticulitis symptoms make it difficult to comfortably get in a car and sit in an exam room. That’s why PhysicianOne Urgent Care is proud to be among a select few urgent care centers to provide a 24/7 telemedicine service. Through our Virtual Visits, patients can consult “face-to-face” with our experts from the comfort of home at any time of day or night.

Where to Find Help

If you have diverticulitis symptoms and want medical attention, visit Get Care Now at Yale New Haven Health to find out more.