What is the link between diverticulitis and constipation?

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Diverticulitis may cause constipation. It may also cause other gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms, such as diarrhea and abdominal pain.

Some theories suggest constipation and straining to make bowel movements may cause pressure inside the colon. This pressure causes the pouches, or diverticula, in diverticulosis to form. Diverticulitis occurs if the diverticula become inflamed.

According to a 2018 article, constipation is unlikely to cause diverticulosis. Instead, low-grade inflammation may play a role in diverticular disease.

According to 2020 research, more frequent bowel movements, rather than constipation, may be associated with diverticulitis. This may be due to:

• increased time sitting on a toilet, which may strain the colon
• increased bowel movements altering the gut microbiome, which may increase the risk of diverticulitis
• frequent bowel movements indicating chronic low-grade inflammation, which may increase the risk of diverticulitis

Learn more about diverticulitis here.

Constipation may cause:

• fewer than three bowel movements a week
• straining or difficulty passing stools
• painful bowel movements
• stools that are dry, hard, or lumpy
• a feeling of incomplete bowel movements

Symptoms of diverticulitis include:

• abdominal pain, usually on the lower left side of the abdomen
• diarrhea
• fever and chills
• nausea
• vomiting

Diverticulitis may cause severe and sudden abdominal pain, or it may feel mild and worsen over several days. The severity of the pain may fluctuate over time.

Learn more about the symptoms of diverticulitis here.

Treatment for constipation may include:

• increasing fiber in the diet
• taking a fiber supplement
• drinking more fluids
• getting regular physical exercise

Bowel training may also help treat constipation by teaching the body to make bowel movements at the same time each day. People can aim to have a bowel movement 15-45 minutes after eating.

It is important to allow enough time to have a bowel movement. A person can try to relax and place their feet on a footstool for comfort and to prevent straining.

Biofeedback therapy can also help people retrain the muscles involved in bowel movements, to become more regular.

If diet and lifestyle changes are ineffective, a doctor may recommend taking over-the-counter (OTC) laxatives or medications that can ease constipation, such as:

• osmotic agents, such as MiraLAX or milk of magnesia
• stool softeners, such as Colace or Docusate
• lubricants, such as mineral oil
• stimulants, such as Correctol or Dulcolax

If these are ineffective, a doctor may prescribe medication such as:

• lubiprostone, which increases fluid in the digestive tract to soften stools and increase bowel movements
• linaclotide or plecanatide, which helps create regular bowel movements in people with long-term constipation
• prucalopride, which helps the colon to move stool for bowel movements in people with long-term constipation

People can also talk with a doctor if they think any medications or supplements they are taking may be causing constipation.

A doctor may recommend other tests if constipation does not respond to first-line treatments or there are other concerning symptoms.

Learn about laxatives vs. stool softeners here.

A healthy diet and lifestyle habits may help prevent constipation. This includes:

• getting regular exercise
• drinking plenty of water throughout the day
• aiming to have a bowel movement at the same time each day, such as after a meal

Diet

Eating a high fiber diet may help prevent constipation. The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) recommends around 22–34 grams (g) of fiber daily for adults.

Good sources of fiber include:

• vegetables
• fruit–especially cooked prunes and dried figs
• beans and legumes
• cereal–especially bran cereals
• whole grain bread
• nuts and nut butter

Learn more about high fiber foods here.

People must contact a doctor if they have constipation with any of the following symptoms:

• rectal bleeding
• blood in stool
• constant abdominal pain
• unable to pass gas
• vomiting
• fever
• lower back pain
• unintentional weight loss

Contact a doctor if constipation does not improve with home treatments or if people have a family history of rectal or colon cancer.

People should also talk with a doctor if they have symptoms of diverticulitis. People must seek urgent medical care if they have diverticulitis and experience:

• fever
• nausea
• vomiting

These symptoms may indicate serious complications which will require immediate medical treatment.

Constipation can be a symptom of diverticulitis. Previous theories suggested that constipation may play a role in causing diverticulitis. However, recent research suggests that this is not the case.

Treatment for constipation may include increasing fiber intake, drinking plenty of water, and getting regular physical exercise. These steps may also help to prevent constipation.

If people have severe constipation or home remedies are not effective, people can contact a doctor who may prescribe fiber supplements or medications to increase bowel movements.