Diverticulitis occurs when small pouches (diverticula) in the lining of the large intestine become inflamed or infected. While many people have these pouches without issue, an acute flare-up can cause significant discomfort and complications. Dizziness is rarely a primary symptom of the inflammation itself. However, it can arise as a consequence of the body’s reaction to a severe infection or associated complications.
Standard Manifestations of Diverticulitis
An acute episode of diverticulitis presents with localized and systemic symptoms related to inflammation in the colon. The most common sign is severe, constant abdominal pain, typically felt in the lower left side. This pain may develop suddenly or worsen over a few days.
The infectious response usually includes fever and chills. Patients also commonly experience gastrointestinal distress, such as nausea and vomiting. Changes in bowel habits are typical, presenting as either persistent constipation or, less frequently, diarrhea.
These primary symptoms—pain, fever, and digestive upset—form the standard clinical picture of an uncomplicated flare-up. Dizziness is absent because the initial inflammatory process is confined to the colon. However, these symptoms can set the stage for secondary problems that cause lightheadedness or unsteadiness.
How Secondary Complications Cause Dizziness
When a flare-up is severe, dizziness signals that the condition is progressing beyond a localized infection to affect the body’s circulatory status. The most common indirect cause is dehydration resulting from fluid loss. Fever, vomiting, and diarrhea associated with diverticulitis quickly deplete the body’s water and electrolyte stores.
Fluid depletion leads to a drop in blood volume, causing low blood pressure (hypotension). Insufficient blood pressure means the brain does not receive adequate oxygenated blood flow, resulting in lightheadedness or dizziness.
The inflammatory response can also lead to systemic infection or sepsis. In this serious state, the body’s massive inflammatory reaction causes blood vessels to dilate, further dropping blood pressure. This often causes confusion, a rapid heart rate, and severe dizziness.
Another mechanism for dizziness is internal bleeding, known as diverticular hemorrhage. This occurs when a small blood vessel near a diverticulum ruptures, causing rapid blood loss. Sudden loss of blood volume leads to acute anemia and severe lightheadedness or weakness.
Recognizing Red Flags and Seeking Care
Dizziness is a sign of a secondary and potentially serious complication, requiring immediate medical attention during a flare-up. Any sudden onset of lightheadedness, especially with rapid heart rate (tachycardia) or weakness, suggests a significant change in circulatory status. These symptoms indicate the body may be struggling to compensate for fluid loss or systemic infection.
Other severe warning signs include confusion, fainting, or the inability to keep fluids down due to persistent vomiting. If there is any sign of significant gastrointestinal bleeding, such as passing red or maroon-colored blood in the stool, emergency care is necessary. These red flags suggest complications like severe dehydration, sepsis, or hemorrhage, requiring immediate hospital admission for intravenous fluids and antibiotics.