MedlinePlus, an online medical encyclopedia produced in association with the U.S. National Library of Medicine, describes diverticulitis as swelling and inflammation caused by an abnormal pouch that forms in the wall of the intestine. Diverticulitis can cause abnormal connections between the intestine and other organs, called a fistula. Merck Manuals, another online medical library, reports that diverticulitis commonly affects men younger than 50 and women over 70 years of age. Diagnosis is based on the presence of symptoms, a CT scan of the abdomen, and/or a colonoscopy.
Gastrointestinal Symptoms
The Mayo Clinic reports that the common symptoms of diverticulitis involve the gastrointestinal tract. These symptoms include changes in bowel habits, nausea, vomiting, constipation, and diarrhea. Diverticulitis may also cause bloating and bleeding from the rectum. The disruption in nutrient absorption may cause unintentional weight loss.
Pain
According to the Mayo Clinic, pain is also a common symptom of diverticulitis. The pain is often "sudden, severe, and located on the left side of the abdomen." Merck Manuals adds that the diverticulitis typically causes the abdomen to be tender to the touch. The Mayo Clinic notes that diverticulitis may cause pain that manifests itself slightly differently than indicated above: the pain may be mild at first, and worsen over a few days. The pain may also get worse, get somewhat better, and then become worse again. However, these patterns of pain are less common than sudden and severe pain in the abdomen.
Intestinal Obstruction
Merck Manuals notes that if a person suffers repeatedly from diverticulitis, the muscles around the intestine can thicken. This, in combination with tissue scarring, may eventually cause intestinal obstruction. If the obstruction is severe enough, solid stool is prevented from passing through the colon.
Flu-like Symptoms
According to MedlinePlus, divertituculitis may also cause symptoms similar to those caused by the flu, such as chills and a fever.
