What are the symptoms of diverticular disease?

Diverticular disease involves small pouches in the bowel wall. Some people have no symptoms. When symptoms occur, pain is often felt in the lower abdomen and may come with bloating, constipation or diarrhoea. Bowel habits can change from your usual pattern, and discomfort may vary with passing stool or wind. Blood in stool can occur and should be assessed rather than assumed to be from diverticular disease.

Diverticulitis means a pouch has become inflamed. It may cause more constant or severe abdominal pain, fever, nausea or vomiting. Similar symptoms can have other causes, so the pattern and examination matter.

Arrange a GP consultation for new, recurring or persistent abdominal pain, altered bowel habits or blood in stool. Keep a record of pain location, bowel changes, food triggers and medicines. Drink fluids and gradually build fibre through varied foods if this suits your health; a nutrition counselling appointment can help tailor changes, especially if constipation is ongoing. Avoid making abrupt dietary restrictions without advice.

Seek urgent medical help for severe or worsening abdominal pain, a swollen or hard abdomen, repeated vomiting, fever with abdominal pain, inability to pass stool or wind, heavy bleeding, black stool, fainting or marked weakness. Prompt assessment is also needed when blood in stool is new, recurrent or accompanied by weight change or altered bowel habits.

Ask whether your symptoms fit diverticular disease or need tests for another cause, how to manage constipation or pain, how to increase fibre safely and which changes should prompt urgent review.