A - Z Encyclopedia

Understanding Diverticulitis

Symptoms

What Are the Symptoms?

Symptoms of diverticulitis are:

• Severe, cramping abdominal pain that is usually worse on the left side
• Nausea
• Chills or fever
• Constipation, thin stools, or diarrhea
• Pain in the lower left quadrant of the abdomen that increases when the area is touched
• Rectal bleeding (rare)

Call Your Doctor If:

• You have a fever, chills, and abdominal swelling, or are vomiting, or your abdomen becomes rigid and your experience pain when you move; you could have peritonitis, an infection of the membrane that lines the abdominal cavity. Get medical help immediately.
• Blood appears in stools; this indicates internal bleeding.
• You have a fever; you may have an infection that requires medication.
• Severe pain continues despite treatment; you may have another abdominal disorder.

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