Diverticulitis is inflammation of small pouches (diverticula) that can form in the walls of your large intestine. This leads to fever and pain in your belly, most often the lower left part.The signs and symptoms of diverticulitis include:
--Pain, which may be constant and persist for several days. The lower left side of the abdomen is the usual site of the pain.
--Nausea and vomiting.
--Fever.
--Abdominal tenderness.
--Constipation or, less commonly, diarrhea.
Aging, obesity, smoking, lack of exercise, high-fat and low-fiber diets and certain medications will all be the risk factors for diverticulitis.
Diverticulitis is usually diagnosed during an acute attack. Because abdominal pain can indicate a number of problems, your doctor will need to rule out other causes for your symptoms.
Your doctor will likely start with a physical examination, which will include checking your abdomen for tenderness. Women generally have a pelvic examination as well to rule out pelvic disease.
Treatment depends on the severity of your signs and symptoms.
If your symptoms are mild, you may be treated at home with antibiotics , a liquid diet or an over-the-counter pain reliever. But if you have a severe attack or have other health problems, you'll likely need to be hospitalized.
