Digestive disorders

II/4.4: Symptomatology

Characteristic complaints include recurring abdominal pain of various severity and frequency, usually on the left side . Occurrence of the pain is provoked by meals and it is mitigated by passing of stool or flatus. Constipation and bloating are more frequent than diarrhea. Meteorism occurs corresponding to the areas of cecum or ascending colon, where the large intestine can be dilated to the greatest extent.

The occurrence of a complication of diverticulitis is indicated by an intense intermitting or permanent pain at the sigmoid area (93 to 100%), accompanied by a change in defecation habits , elevated temperature, fever (57 to 100%) , possible lack of appetite, nausea and vomiting. Due to an irritating effect of the inflamed sigmoid on the urinary bladder, disordered voiding ), dysuria may also develop. In patients with complicated diverticulitis (abscess, fistula, obstruction); high fever, symptoms and signs of peritonitis and sepsis may also be present in more severe cases (overt abdominal perforation). Formation of a colovesical fistula may be suggested by dysuria, pneumaturia or fecaluria.