hyperactive bowel sounds and abdominal pain

However, if you have never had abdominal pain or bouts of diarrhoea, there is a 70-80% chance that you will never have any symptoms from them.ĭiverticula are extremely common over the age of 70 and they do not increase your risk of cancer. It's thought that a high-fibre diet is likely to reduce the risk of any symptoms developing. If diverticula have been discovered during a camera test for another reason (colonoscopy) or during a CT scan, you may be worried about what this means. Symptoms of diverticular disease and diverticulitis include abdominal pain, bloating and a change in normal bowel habits. People aged 50-70 who eat a high-fibre diet (25g a day) have a 40% lower chance of admission to hospital with complications of diverticular disease – compared to others in their age range with the lowest amount of dietary fibre.

Overall, symptoms of diverticulitis are most likely to occur in people over 70 years old.ĭiverticular disease is often described as a 'Western disease' because the rates are high in European and North American countries, and low in African and Asian countries.Ī combination of genetics and diet is thought to be the reason for this and the fact that people in Western countries tend to eat less fibre.

Who is affectedĭiverticular disease is one of the most common digestive conditions.īoth sexes are equally affected by diverticular disease and diverticulitis, although the condition is more likely to appear at a younger age (under 50) in men than in women. Read more about treating diverticular disease and diverticulitis. Surgery to remove the affected section of the intestine is sometimes recommended if there have been serious complications, although this is rare. More serious cases may need hospital treatment to prevent and treat complications. Mild diverticulitis can usually be treated at home with antibiotics prescribed by your GP.

Speak to your GP if paracetamol alone is not working. Treating diverticular disease and diverticulitisĪ high-fibre diet can often ease symptoms of diverticular disease, and paracetamol can be used to relieve pain – other painkillers such as aspirin or ibuprofen are not recommended for regular use, as they can cause stomach upsets. Read more about the complications of diverticulitis. Diverticulitisĭiverticulitis describes infection that occurs when bacteria becomes trapped inside one of the bulges, triggering more severe symptoms.ĭiverticulitis can lead to complications, such as an abscess next to the intestine. Having symptoms associated with diverticula is known as diverticular disease. Diverticular diseaseġ in 4 people who develop diverticula will experience symptoms, such as abdominal pain. It's estimated that 5% of people have diverticula by the time they are 40 years old, and at least 50% of people have them by the time they are 80 years old. Read more about the causes of diverticula. The large intestine becomes weaker with age, and the pressure of hard stools passing through the large intestine is thought to cause the bulges to form. 'Diverticula' is the medical term used to describe the small bulges that stick out of the side of the large intestine (colon).ĭiverticula are common and associated with ageing. Diverticulosis, diverticular disease and diverticulitis Diverticula Read more about the symptoms of diverticular disease and diverticulitis.

high temperature (fever) of 38C (100.4F) or above.more severe abdominal pain, especially on the left side.Symptoms of diverticulitis tend to be more serious and include: The majority of people with diverticula will not have any symptoms this is known as diverticulosis. Symptoms of diverticular disease include: Diverticulitis is when these pockets become inflamed or infected. In diverticular disease, small bulges or pockets (diverticula) develop in the lining of the intestine. Diverticular disease and diverticulitis are related digestive conditions that affect the large intestine (colon).

Hyperactive bowel sounds and abdominal pain