Symptoms and Signs of Diverticulosis and Diverticulitis

Symptoms and Signs of Diverticulosis and Diverticulitis

Diverticulosis may result in blood in stools. Uncomplicated diverticulitis may cause symptoms like pain in abdomen, fever, loss of appetite and severe constipation.

Patients with diverticulosis are often above 60 years of age. The patient may not suffer from any symptoms and may be diagnosed while undergoing tests for other conditions. Some patients may suffer from the following symptoms:

Blood in Stools: Blood in stools may occur due to bleeding from the diverticulum. Bleeding usually stops on its own. Patients with high blood pressure, atherosclerosis or those taking painkillers are at an increased risk for developing bleeding.

Diverticulitis may be complicated or uncomplicated. Symptoms of uncomplicated diverticulitis are:

• Pain in abdomen
• Fever
• Loss of appetite
• Severe constipation or obstipation

Patients with complicated diverticulitis may show symptoms relating to abscess formation, perforation, stricture or fistula formation.

• In cases of perforation, the patient may in addition suffer from severe abdominal and /or back pain
• In cases with fistula formation, the patient may pass stool through the skin, vagina, or may pass air through the urinary tract

Small bowel diverticulosis may also result in diarrhea, weight loss, flatulence, dark colored stools and anemia