{"id":52048,"date":"2022-06-20T09:30:19","date_gmt":"2022-06-20T13:30:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=52048"},"modified":"2022-06-27T14:00:35","modified_gmt":"2022-06-27T18:00:35","slug":"what-does-a-diverticulitis-attack-feel-like","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/what-does-a-diverticulitis-attack-feel-like\/","title":{"rendered":"What does a diverticulitis attack feel like?"},"content":{"rendered":"

What does a diverticulitis attack feel like?<\/a> | How long does an attack last?<\/a> | When to see a doctor<\/a> | Diagnosis<\/a> | Treatments<\/a> | Prevention<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

Diverticulosis occurs when small sacs or pouches, called diverticula, form in the wall of the\u00a0 gastrointestinal tract. By far, the most common location for these diverticula to occur is the colon. When one or more of these diverticula become inflamed or infected, the condition is known as <\/span>diverticulitis<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIn order to have an attack of diverticulitis, you must have the predisposing condition called diverticulosis, in which small pouches, or diverticula, form in the wall of the colon,\u201d says Max Pitman, MD, a medical director at <\/span>Salvo Health<\/span><\/a> and board-certified physician specializing in gastroenterology and internal medicine at Summit Health in Brooklyn, New York.<\/span><\/p>\n

Although the formation of these diverticula occurs in more than 70% of people over the age of 80, the majority of people don\u2019t experience symptoms or complications. In fact, less than 5% of people with diverticulosis ever develop diverticulitis, according to the <\/span>National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

If you believe you may be experiencing a diverticulitis attack, here is what you need to know about the symptoms, treatment, and prevention.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

What does a diverticulitis attack feel like?<\/h2>\n

Diverticulitis occurs when there is a tiny perforation of a diverticulum (often referred to as a microperforation). The truth is, we don\u2019t know why someone with diverticulosis develops diverticulitis, although one theory is that \u201ca small piece of stool gets stuck within a diverticulum causing the pouch to be blocked off,\u201d Dr. Pitman says. \u201cOnce this occurs you can get a local infection within and around the diverticulum. This can also cause a lot of inflammation in the area, which ultimately causes pain.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

As a result, the majority of diverticulitis attacks are accompanied by abdominal pain or discomfort, most commonly in the left lower abdomen.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Other <\/span>common symptoms<\/span><\/a> of diverticulitis include:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n