Diverticulitis involves acute, often severe, localized pain (usually lower-left abdomen) with fever, nausea, and possible bleeding, indicating infection/inflammation of pouches, requiring medical attention. Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is chronic, causes cramping, bloating, constipation/diarrhea, and pain often relieved by bowel movements, triggered by stress/diet, but lacks infection signs like fever. Key differentiators are fever, severe localized pain, and signs of infection (diverticulitis) versus chronic, stress-related cramping and bowel changes (IBS).
IBS and diverticulitis cause symptoms that affect the digestive system. They may share some symptoms, such as constipation and diarrhea. However, unlike IBS, diverticulitis can cause fever, chills, and vomiting. It may also cause more sudden and severe pain than IBS.
Low-dose amitriptyline (tricyclic antidepressant) can be trialled for abdominal pain or discomfort as a secondline option in those who have not responded to antispasmodics, anti-motility drugs, or laxatives.
Diverticulitis causes several noticeable changes in your poop, including altered color (bright red, maroon, or black), different shapes (thin, pellet-like, or irregular), and unusual texture (watery diarrhea or hard constipation).
Like diverticulitis, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) can cause abdominal pain and changes in bowel patterns. However, there are a few ways you can tell the difference between IBS and diverticulitis symptoms. IBS symptoms usually begin suddenly and can be very painful.
Common alternative conditions that can clinically mimic diverticulitis include small bowel obstruction, primary epiploic appendagitis, acute cholecystitis, appendicitis, ileitis, ovarian cystic disease, and ureteral stone disease.
What is IBD?
Symptoms of diverticular disease and diverticulitis
Over time, some people may develop an infected diverticulum called diverticulitis (see below). This causes abdominal pain, tenderness, and fever. Diverticula can also cause bleeding from the rectum. Bleeding may be seen as red blood, maroon stools, or black tarry stool.
The worst things for diverticulitis during a flare-up are high-fiber foods, red/processed meats, sugar, fat, alcohol, and NSAIDs like ibuprofen, as they can worsen inflammation and symptoms; instead, focus on a temporary low-fiber diet (liquids/soft foods) and gradually reintroduce fiber after healing to prevent future attacks, consulting your doctor for personalized advice.
Causes of diverticular disease and diverticulitis
It's unclear why some people develop diverticula, or go on to get diverticular disease or diverticulitis. But increasing age and having a diet that's low in fibre are the main risk factors.
Nonprescription medicines, such as loperamide (Imodium A-D), can help control diarrhea. A care professional also might prescribe a bile acid binder, such as cholestyramine (Prevalite), colestipol (Colestid) or colesevelam (Welchol).
Healthcare providers often use Flagyl (metronidazole) to treat anaerobic and microaerophilic bacterial infections possibly found in the colon. Flagyl targets these bacteria to reduce inflammation and infection in the affected areas of the colon [7]. Clinicians may prescribe Cipro and Flagyl for diverticulosis.
Patients with diverticulitis could be at risk for later development of IBS and functional bowel disorders.
Pooping is normal, but if you experience a sudden change in your stools, it might have something to do with your gut health. Persistent black or green stools, a change in bowel habits, or unusually foul odors must be carefully monitored, as they can give valuable clues about your gastrointestinal system.
Many people with diverticulitis report increased gas and bloating during flare-ups. While these symptoms can occur after eating fibrous foods or drinking carbonated beverages, if diverticulitis is the cause, you might experience them between meals or at night when you haven't eaten anything.
Causes may include gastrointestinal infections, ulcerative colitis, and thyroid problems, among others. Loose stools may occur after eating or at other points in the day. They may be softer than a person's usual stools. They may also be watery, mushy, or shapeless and can have a strong, foul odor.
Other signs and symptoms of diverticulitis may include:
When diverticulitis leads to sepsis, look out for these specific symptoms:
While no specific foods are proven to trigger diverticulitis attacks, a diet rich in high-fiber foods can help maintain digestive health and reduce the risk of complications. High-fiber foods soften waste, decreasing pressure in the digestive tract. Examples include: Fruits.
The test can be used to diagnose diverticular disease in people who have symptoms. Colonoscopies are also commonly used as a screening tool for colon cancer. In fact, many people are unexpectedly diagnosed with diverticular disease as a result of a routine colonoscopy.
For managing mild diverticulitis pain or symptoms at home, your healthcare professional may recommend eating only clear foods and clear liquids for a few days. Examples of clear liquids that you can have include: Chicken, beef or vegetable broth. Fruit juices without pulp, such as apple, cranberry and grape juices.
If your GI tract is perforated, the contents can spill into your abdomen and cause peritonitis, an infection. Such an infection can lead to sepsis. Sepsis is a life-threatening emergency that happens when your body's response to an infection damages vital organs and, often, causes death.
But despite having similar acronyms and symptoms, these two conditions are very different. IBS is a disorder of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. IBD is inflammation or destruction of the bowel wall, which can lead to sores and narrowing of the intestines. It's possible to have both IBD and IBS.
Five common symptoms of Crohn's disease include abdominal pain/cramping, persistent diarrhea, fatigue, unexplained weight loss, and blood in the stool, though symptoms vary and can also involve fever, reduced appetite, and mouth sores, affecting different parts of the digestive tract.