From the Guidelines
Sigmoid diverticulitis can cause diarrhea in some patients, though it's not always present, and the most recent evidence suggests that approximately 25-35% of patients may experience diarrhea during an acute flare of diverticulitis 1. During an acute flare of diverticulitis, inflammation in the sigmoid colon can disrupt normal bowel function, leading to diarrhea. However, constipation is actually more common with diverticulitis. The symptoms typically depend on the severity of the inflammation and whether complications like abscess formation are present. When diarrhea does occur with diverticulitis, it's often accompanied by other symptoms such as:
- Left lower abdominal pain
- Fever
- Nausea
- Sometimes blood in the stool The diarrhea results from the inflammatory process irritating the colon wall, causing increased motility and decreased water absorption. If you're experiencing diarrhea along with abdominal pain, especially in the lower left side, and fever, you should seek medical attention promptly as these could indicate diverticulitis requiring treatment with antibiotics such as ciprofloxacin and metronidazole, or in severe cases, hospitalization for intravenous antibiotics and bowel rest 1. It's essential to note that the management of acute colonic diverticulitis has been updated, and the latest guidelines suggest that antibiotics can be safely omitted in patients with a first episode of uncomplicated diverticulitis 1. However, the decision to perform an elective resection after one or more episodes of acute diverticulitis should be undertaken on a case-by-case basis, taking into account risk factors, complications, age, and severity of episodes as well as the patient’s personal circumstances and comorbidities 1. In terms of treatment, oral administration of antibiotics may be equally as effective as intravenous administration, and an expeditious switch from intravenous to oral may allow a rapid patient discharge 1. Overall, sigmoid diverticulitis can cause diarrhea, but the severity and presence of diarrhea vary among patients, and treatment should be individualized based on the severity of the disease and the patient's overall health status.
From the Research
Sigmoid Diverticulitis and Diarrhea
- The provided studies do not directly address the question of whether sigmoid diverticulitis causes diarrhea 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.
- However, the studies discuss the management and treatment of sigmoid diverticulitis, including the use of antibiotics, dietary changes, and surgical interventions 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.
- Some studies mention the importance of dietary changes, such as increasing fiber intake, in managing diverticular disease 3, 6.
- Diarrhea is not explicitly mentioned as a symptom or consequence of sigmoid diverticulitis in the provided studies.
Symptoms and Complications of Sigmoid Diverticulitis
- The studies discuss various symptoms and complications of sigmoid diverticulitis, including abdominal pain, fever, and abscess formation 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.
- Complicated diverticulitis is defined as diverticulitis associated with localized or generalized perforation, localized or distant abscess, fistula, stricture, or obstruction 6.
- The management of complicated diverticulitis may involve surgical interventions, such as percutaneous drainage or segmental colectomy 2, 3, 6.
Treatment and Management of Sigmoid Diverticulitis
- The studies discuss various treatment options for sigmoid diverticulitis, including medical management with antibiotics, supportive measures, and surgical interventions 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.
- The decision to proceed with surgery is recommended in an individualized manner, taking into account the patient's overall health, disease severity, and other factors 3, 6.
- Elective resection is indicated in chronic recurrent diverticulitis with complications, and all other indications are increasingly based on the individual quality of life of the patient 3.