Diverticulitis / Diverticular Disease
Who It's For
Functional medicine support tailored to uncover the root cause of complex symptoms.
Consult with our care team to understand next steps and build a personalized plan.
Serving Denver Metro, Fort Collins, and Colorado Springs.
About This Condition
Diverticular disease refers to a spectrum of conditions arising from colonic diverticula, including asymptomatic diverticulosis, symptomatic uncomplicated diverticular disease, acute diverticulitis, and diverticular bleeding. Diverticula are outpouchings of the colonic wall that occur most commonly in the sigmoid colon and become more prevalent with age. Many individuals remain asymptomatic, while a subset develop chronic abdominal symptoms or acute inflammatory or bleeding complications.
Uncomplicated diverticulitis typically presents with acute or subacute left lower quadrant abdominal pain, localized tenderness, low-grade fever, and changes in bowel habits such as constipation or diarrhea. Nausea, bloating, and anorexia are common. Complicated diverticulitis involves abscess, perforation, fistula, or obstruction and may present with more severe pain, systemic toxicity, or peritoneal signs. Diverticular bleeding usually manifests as painless hematochezia and can range from mild to brisk.
Diagnosis of diverticular disease is based on characteristic clinical features supported by imaging—most often contrast-enhanced CT—for suspected diverticulitis, and colon evaluation to exclude malignancy and other pathology when appropriate. Management ranges from dietary and lifestyle modification and symptom control for uncomplicated disease to antibiotics, image-guided drainage, or surgery in selected cases, with attention to recurrence risk and alternative diagnoses.
Common Symptoms
- •Recurrent or acute-onset left lower quadrant abdominal pain or tenderness, especially in the sigmoid colon region
- •Change in bowel habits, including constipation, diarrhea, or alternating patterns, often accompanying pain episodes
- •Low-grade fever, malaise, and systemic discomfort in patients with acute diverticulitis
- •Bloating, abdominal distension, or increased gas, particularly after meals
- •Nausea or decreased appetite during acute inflammatory episodes
- •Painless hematochezia or maroon-colored stool in patients with diverticular bleeding
Conventional Treatment Options
Nutrition staged to tolerance
Fiber strategy
Microbiome support
Our Functional Medicine Approach
Who It's For
Adults with diverticular disease seeking prevention strategies.
Expected Outcomes
- Fewer flares
- Better gut comfort