Diverticulitis is a common digestive condition where small pouches, known as diverticula, in the large intestine can become inflamed or infected. While many individuals have these pouches without symptoms, a flare-up often leads to noticeable changes in bowel habits, particularly in stool appearance. This article details how stool might appear during a diverticulitis flare-up and outlines other signs.
Typical Stool Characteristics
During a diverticulitis flare-up, stool can exhibit changes in consistency, color, and shape, with diarrhea common due to inflammation and irritation within the bowel. Conversely, some individuals may experience constipation, especially if inflammation or scarring narrows the intestinal lumen. Blood in the stool is a significant indicator. Bright red blood suggests fresh bleeding from inflammation or a ruptured diverticulum closer to the rectum. Dark red or maroon blood, or black, tarry stools, can indicate bleeding higher up in the digestive tract or a slower bleed.
Changes in stool color may extend beyond blood, appearing darker overall. Mucus in the stool is another sign, resulting from irritation and inflammation of the bowel lining, and it might appear as streaks or be more widespread. The shape of the stool can be affected, becoming narrow or ribbon-like. This altered shape occurs if swelling or scarring within the colon causes a physical narrowing of the passage. Some might also notice small, pellet-shaped stools, particularly when experiencing constipation.
Accompanying Symptoms
Changes in stool appearance with diverticulitis are often accompanied by other symptoms indicating a flare-up. Abdominal pain is common, often constant or intermittent, and typically located in the lower left abdomen. This pain may persist for hours or days and can worsen with movement or pressure.
Other common signs include fever and chills, signaling an underlying infection. Nausea and vomiting may also occur, sometimes leading to decreased appetite. Individuals might experience abdominal tenderness or bloating. Increased urgency can indicate digestive distress.
Why Stool Changes Occur
Stool changes during diverticulitis stem from disease processes affecting the large intestine. Inflammation and infection within the diverticula disrupt normal bowel function and motility. This disruption can lead to increased bowel activity, causing diarrhea, or slowed movement and increased water absorption, leading to constipation. When inflammation irritates the bowel lining, it triggers increased mucus production, which appears in the stool.
Bleeding occurs when inflamed diverticula rupture small blood vessels. Their proximity makes them susceptible to injury, especially with increased pressure or straining. Physical changes to stool shape, such as narrow or pellet-like forms, result from swelling or chronic inflammation leading to strictures, or narrowing, of the intestinal lumen. This constriction forces stool through a smaller opening, altering its form.
When to Consult a Doctor
Knowing when to seek medical attention for diverticulitis symptoms is important for proper management and to prevent complications. Individuals experiencing new or worsening bowel habits, especially with mild abdominal pain, should consult a doctor. Early diagnosis and treatment can help manage the condition effectively.
Immediate medical attention is necessary for severe symptoms indicating a serious complication. These include severe, persistent abdominal pain, a high fever (over 100.4°F or 38°C), or uncontrollable vomiting. Significant amounts of blood in the stool, particularly if bright red or black and tarry, warrant prompt medical evaluation. Signs of shock, such as dizziness or rapid heartbeat, alongside these symptoms, necessitate emergency care.