22 Key Points to Know About Living with Diverticulitis

Living with diverticulitis can be a frustrating and painful experience, but knowledge truly is power when it comes to managing it. Diverticulitis stems from small pouches—called diverticula—that can form in the lining of your digestive tract, most often in the colon. While having diverticula (a condition known as diverticulosis) is relatively common—especially with age—they don’t always cause problems. However, when these pouches become inflamed or infected, that’s when diverticulitis strikes, often bringing symptoms like abdominal pain, bloating, fever, or changes in bowel habits. The good news? With the right understanding of the warning signs, potential triggers, and treatment options, living a comfortable and healthy life with diverticulitis is entirely possible. That’s why we’ve expanded our list to 22 essential symptoms, causes, and treatments—so you can feel empowered, proactive, and ready to take control of your gut health.

1. Causes Of Diverticulitis

Diverticulitis does not always occur in everyone who lives with diverticula. When a person has these nodules in their colon, it is not a guarantee they will become inflamed or infected; this only occurs if there is too much pressure on the colon. These pockets are weak, and any amount of pressure can cause one to tear or in more severe cases, burst. This causes inflammation and can cause an infection depending on how much bacteria are able to make their way into the torn diverticula. Inflammation due to pressure does not always equal an infection, but it does increase a patient’s likelihood of developing an infection.

2. Pain In The Abdomen

One of the most prevalent signs of diverticulitis is a pain in the abdomen on the left side of the bodythat lasts longer than several days. It is not nearly as common on the right side of the body, but that does not mean it will not ever occur on the right side. Ethnicity, diet, and other factors play a significant role in the development of diverticulitis on the right side. If this pain lasts longer than a day or two, it is more likely a symptom of diverticulitis than a more common issue such as an upset stomach or constipation.