Questions and Answers
Diverticulitus - What is it and what are the symptons? I have a constant slight pain in my left lower abdomen. I thought it might be gas or even a bug. This has persisted for 24 hours.
A small, even tiny, perforation of a thin-walled section of the sigmoid (usually) colon due to inflammation or high colonic pressure. It may lead to bacterial or faecal contamination of surrounding tissues, possibly developing to an abscess. Pain and local tenderness occur most commonly in the left lower quadrant. Pain is occasionally severe. A change in bowel function to constipation (often with periods of diarrhoea) is frequent. Fever is usually present. If your symptoms persist, you should consult your physician so that with proper experience and facilities, other, more serious conditions can be excluded. Early diagnosis improves the chance of satisfactory treatment.