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What is a Diverticulitis Flare up?

Nicole Madison
Nicole Madison
Nicole Madison
Nicole Madison

A diverticulitis flare up is an episode in which a person experiences active symptoms of diverticulitis. Diverticulitis is a condition marked by inflammation or infection of pouches, referred to in medical terms as diverticula, that form in the digestive system. When symptoms of the infection and inflammation are evident, a person is said to have a flare up. There are many symptoms that may mark a flare up of this condition. Among the most common, however, are those such as pain in the abdominal region, fever, difficulty urinating, stomach upset, and changes in bowel habits; a person with this condition may also suffer from bleeding in the gastrointestinal tract.

One of the common signs of a diverticulitis flare up is pain in the abdominal region. A person who has a flare up of symptoms may notice pain that comes on suddenly on the lower-left section of his abdomen. Along with this pain, he may experience tenderness when his abdomen is touched. The sudden onset of pain that accompanies a flare up is very common, but some people do have pain that starts off gradually and increases in intensity over a course of days.

A diagram showing diverticulitis and other colon problems.
A diagram showing diverticulitis and other colon problems.

An individual may also experience nausea and vomiting when he is having a diverticulitis flare up. These symptoms may or may not occur in conjunction with constipation and diarrhea. It is important to note that a severe case of nausea and vomiting during flare up may be a sign of a complication of the condition. For example, severe stomach upset symptoms may occur when an individual has an obstruction of the bowel.

An upset stomach is commonly experienced during a diverticulitis flare up.
An upset stomach is commonly experienced during a diverticulitis flare up.

Fever may also develop during a diverticulitis flare up. Typically, high body temperatures present during the flare up develop as a result of infection in the pouches that have formed in the digestive tract. If the fever is high, this may be a sign of a serious infection that may require the patient to be hospitalized.

When a person has a diverticulitis flare up, he may also develop problems that are related to urination. For example, a person with this condition may have to urinate more frequently than usual during a symptom flare up. Sometimes, urination may even be accompanied by pain. It is worth noting, however, that urinary symptoms do not develop in all diverticulitis patients.

In order to reduce diverticulitis flare ups, many doctors recommend a high-fiber diet rich in vegetables and other nutritious foods.
In order to reduce diverticulitis flare ups, many doctors recommend a high-fiber diet rich in vegetables and other nutritious foods.

A flare up of diverticulitis may also be accompanied by bleeding in the digestive tract. This may happen when a blood vessel in one of the inflamed or infected pouches bursts. In many cases, the bleeding caused by a burst blood vessel goes away on its own. If it does not, doctors may perform a colonoscopy to find the source of the bleeding and put a stop to it.

Nicole Madison
Nicole Madison

Nicole’s thirst for knowledge inspired her to become a TheHealthBoard writer, and she focuses primarily on topics such as homeschooling, parenting, health, science, and business. When not writing or spending time with her four children, Nicole enjoys reading, camping, and going to the beach.

Learn more...
Nicole Madison
Nicole Madison

Nicole’s thirst for knowledge inspired her to become a TheHealthBoard writer, and she focuses primarily on topics such as homeschooling, parenting, health, science, and business. When not writing or spending time with her four children, Nicole enjoys reading, camping, and going to the beach.

Learn more...

Discussion Comments

anon1001801

I just got home from the hospital after nine days of a second diverticulitis flare-up. My nurse said that they no longer warn against the seeds in fruits and vegetables when creating the high fiber diets. I don't know why that changed , just going by what I was told.

anon991350

Does a diverticulitis flare up give off an odor?

Glasis

A person with diverticulitis must adhere to a strict diet to avoid flare ups.

Among foods that should not be eaten are nuts, corn and any fruits or vegetables that contain seeds, like many berries, tomatoes and cucumbers, to name a few.

A diverticulitis flare up occurs when food gets stuck in a pocket in the intestines, causing infection.

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    • A diagram showing diverticulitis and other colon problems.
      By: Alila
      A diagram showing diverticulitis and other colon problems.
    • An upset stomach is commonly experienced during a diverticulitis flare up.
      By: Julija Sapic
      An upset stomach is commonly experienced during a diverticulitis flare up.
    • In order to reduce diverticulitis flare ups, many doctors recommend a high-fiber diet rich in vegetables and other nutritious foods.
      By: Subbotina Anna
      In order to reduce diverticulitis flare ups, many doctors recommend a high-fiber diet rich in vegetables and other nutritious foods.
    • A flare-up of diverticulitis may be accompanied by bleeding in the digestive tract.
      By: Kirill_M
      A flare-up of diverticulitis may be accompanied by bleeding in the digestive tract.
    • Nausea and vomiting may be part of a diverticulitis flare up.
      By: olly
      Nausea and vomiting may be part of a diverticulitis flare up.
    • Fever may be present with diverticulitis.
      By: Lucky Dragon USA
      Fever may be present with diverticulitis.