What kind of pain is diverticulitis?
Sarah Duran
Updated on March 10, 2026
The most common symptom of diverticulitis is belly or abdominal pain. The most common sign that you have it is feeling sore or sensitive on the left side of your lower belly. If infection is the cause, then you may have fever, nausea, vomiting, chills, cramping, and constipation.
What are diverticulitis pains like?
The most common symptom of diverticulitis is a sharp cramp-like pain, usually on the left side of your lower abdomen. Other symptoms can include fever and chills, nausea, vomiting, and constipation or diarrhea.What can be mistaken for diverticulitis?
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 are the symptoms of diverticulosis attack?
The symptoms of diverticulitis include:
- Pain, tenderness or sensitivity in the left lower side of your abdomen. Pain can start out mild and increase over several days or come on suddenly. ...
- Fever.
- Nausea and/or vomiting.
- Chills.
- Cramps in the lower abdomen.
- Constipation or diarrhea (less common).
- Rectal bleeding.
Where do you get pain with diverticulitis?
Symptoms of diverticular disease include: tummy pain, usually in your lower left side, that tends to come and go and gets worse during or shortly after eating (pooing or farting eases it) constipation, diarrhoea, or both. occasionally, blood in your poo.Diverticulitis Signs & Symptoms (And Why They Occur)
What does poop look like with diverticulitis?
Diverticulitis stool characteristicsColor: The stool may be bright red, maroon, or black and tarry, which indicates the presence of blood. Stools may contain more mucus than normal. Odor: The stool odor may be increasingly foul compared to the typical smell.
What triggers diverticulitis flare ups?
You're more likely to experience a diverticulitis flare-up if you are:
- Over age 40.
- Overweight or obese.
- A smoker.
- Physically inactive.
- Someone whose diet is high in animal products and low in fiber (most Americans)
- Someone who takes non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), steroids or opioids.
What helps diverticulitis pain fast?
Mild diverticulitis infection may be treated with bed rest, stool softeners, a liquid diet, antibiotics to fight the infection, and possibly antispasmodic drugs.Can diverticulosis be painful?
The most common symptom of diverticulitis is belly or abdominal pain. The most common sign that you have it is feeling sore or sensitive on the left side of your lower belly. If infection is the cause, then you may have fever, nausea, vomiting, chills, cramping, and constipation.How long does a diverticulitis attack last?
In about 95 out of 100 people, uncomplicated diverticulitis goes away on its own within a week. In about 5 out of 100 people, the symptoms stay and treatment is needed.Does your back hurt with diverticulitis?
Can diverticulitis pain radiate to the back? Symptoms of diverticulitis include nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, fever, and constipation or diarrhea. Pain often affects the lower left side of the abdomen, but it can radiate to the back, legs, groin, and side as well.How do I know if I have IBS or diverticulitis?
IBS and mild cases of diverticular disease may present similarly. Both disease processes involve abdominal pain: The pain associated with IBS is described as cramping and is relieved with elimination, whereas the pain from diverticular disease is constant and usually focused in the left lower quadrant of the abdomen.Does diverticulitis cause gas?
Excess gas is often a symptom of chronic intestinal conditions, such as diverticulitis, ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease. Small bowel bacterial overgrowth.What foods trigger diverticulitis?
Actually, no specific foods are known to trigger diverticulitis attacks. And no special diet has been proved to prevent attacks. In the past, people with small pouches (diverticula) in the lining of the colon were told to avoid nuts, seeds and popcorn.How do I know if my diverticulitis is getting worse?
Symptoms of DiverticulitisThis pain may get worse over several days and may vary in severity. In addition, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and constipation are symptoms that may occur. In moderate to severe symptoms a person has more severe pain, can't keep any liquids down and may have a fever.