Diverticulitis

Diverticulitis occurs when small pouches called diverticula that have formed on the inner lining of the intestine become infected or inflamed. These pouches are most often found in the colon. Diverticulitis is especially common after age 50 and is ascribed to a low fiber diet.

Symptoms

Symptoms of diverticulitis may start suddenly and worsen quickly. They include:

If you have been diagnosed with diverticulitis and experience these symptoms, they may indicate more serious complications and you should seek medical treatment.

Diagnosis

In addition to a physical exam, your doctor may order blood tests and a CT scan. These tests may also be used to diagnose diverticulitis.

Treatment

Often diverticulitis can be treated with rest, a modified diet, pain medication and/or antibiotics. However, If you have recurring diverticulitis or an abscess, perforation, or fistula, surgery may be required to remove the diseased part of your colon. There are two types of surgery for diverticulitis:

Resection: In this operation, the diseased part of your intestine is removed, and the surgeon then reconnects the healthy segments of your colon that are left. Often this procedure can be done using laparoscopic surgery, which allows for a quicker recovery time. Depending on the level of inflammation in your colon, you may need to have open surgery, which involves a larger incision.

Resection with colostomy: In cases where there is too much inflammation in the colon for the ends to be rejoined, the surgeon makes an opening in your abdomen for waste to pass through into a colostomy bag. After the inflammation has had time to heal, your surgeon may be able to operate again to reconnect the ends of the colon.

Our Surgeons Specializing in Diverticulitis

Image of Dr. Allen Agapay, General Surgeon
  • Allen Agapay, MD
  • General Surgeon
  • Peoria
  • Learn More
Image of Dr. Aisha Akhtar, Colon and Rectal Surgeon
  • Aisha Akhtar, MD, FCPS
  • Colon & Rectal Surgeon
  • Glendale & Scottsdale
  • Learn More
Image of Dr. Adrienne Forstner-Barthell, Colon and Rectal Surgeon
  • Adrienne Forstner-Barthell, MD, FACS, FASCRS
  • Colon & Rectal Surgeon
  • Glendale
  • Learn More
Image of Dr. Ravia Bokhari, General Surgeon
  • Ravia Bokhari, MD, FACS
  • General Surgeon
  • West Phoenix
  • Learn More
Image of Dr. Michael Buckmire, Colon and Rectal Surgeon
  • Michael Buckmire, MD, FACS, FASCRS
  • Colon & Rectal Surgeon
  • Mesa & Gilbert
  • Learn More
Image of Dr. Ashley R. Casano, DO, FACS, Colon and Rectal Surgeon
  • Ashley R. Casano, DO, FACS
  • Colon & Rectal Surgeon
  • Gilbert & Mesa
  • Learn More
Image of Dr. Charles Castillo, General Surgeon
  • Charles Castillo, MD, FACS
  • General Surgeon
  • Central Phoenix
  • Learn More
Image of Dr. Jordan Glenn, General Surgeon
  • Jordan Glenn, DO, FACS
  • General Surgeon
  • Peoria
  • Learn More
Image of Dr. Richard Harding, General Surgeon
  • Richard Harding, MD, FACS
  • General Surgeon
  • Central Phoenix
  • Learn More
Image of Dr. Jon King, General Surgeon
  • Jon King, MD, FACS
  • General Surgeon
  • West Phoenix
  • Learn More
Image of Dr. Tafadzwa Makarawo, Colon and Rectal Surgeon
  • Tafadzwa Makarawo, MD, MRCS(Ed), FACS
  • Colon & Rectal Surgeon
  • Glendale
  • Learn More
Image of Dr. Amir Esparza Monzavi, Trauma & Acute Care Surgeon
  • C. Amir Esparza Monzavi, MD
  • Colon & Rectal Surgeon
  • Buckeye & Phoenix
  • Learn More
Image of Dr. Sushil Pandey, Colon and Rectal Surgeon
  • Sushil Pandey, MD, FACS, FASCRS
  • Colon & Rectal Surgeon
  • Sun City West
  • Learn More
Image of Dr. Karthik Raghavan, General Surgeon
  • Karthik Raghavan, MD, FACS
  • General Surgeon
  • Glendale
  • Learn More
Image of Dr. Neeraj Singh, Colon and Rectal Surgeon
  • Neeraj Singh, MD, FACS, FASCRS
  • Colon & Rectal Surgeon
  • Glendale, Phoenix & Scottsdale
  • Learn More
Image of Dr. David Smith, General Surgeon
  • David Smith, MD, FACS
  • General Surgeon
  • West Phoenix
  • Learn More