Diverticulitis & Diverticulosis — Diagnosis & Treatment in Okeechobee, FL
Diverticulosis means small pouches, called diverticula, have formed in the wall of the colon. It is very common with age and usually causes no symptoms. Diverticulitis happens when one or more of these pouches becomes inflamed or infected, causing abdominal pain, fever, and changes in bowel habits. While mild episodes can often be managed without surgery, diverticulitis can sometimes lead to serious complications — so it should always be evaluated by a gastroenterologist. At Gastro in Florida in Okeechobee, Dr. Vikram Tarugu diagnoses diverticular disease and helps patients prevent future flare-ups.
Symptoms
Diverticulosis usually has no symptoms and is often found during a colonoscopy done for another reason. Diverticulitis symptoms include:
- Pain in the lower left abdomen that may be constant and last for days
- Fever and chills
- Nausea or vomiting
- Constipation or diarrhea
- Abdominal tenderness when touched
- Blood in the stool in some cases
Mild pain may improve with rest and dietary changes, but worsening pain, fever, or bleeding should be evaluated promptly.
Causes and risk factors
Diverticula form where the colon wall is weakest, usually as a result of pressure inside the colon over many years. A diet low in fiber, chronic constipation, obesity, lack of exercise, and smoking all increase the risk. Diverticulitis occurs when stool or bacteria become trapped in a pouch, leading to inflammation or infection. Age is the strongest risk factor — diverticulosis affects roughly half of people over 60. A family history of diverticular disease and long-term use of certain pain relievers may also raise the risk.
How we diagnose it at Gastro in Florida
During an acute episode, diagnosis is usually based on symptoms, examination, blood tests for inflammation, and imaging such as a CT scan, which your doctor may arrange. Colonoscopy is generally not performed during a severe acute attack, because the inflamed colon is more fragile — instead, a colonoscopy is recommended after the episode settles, typically within six to eight weeks, to confirm the diagnosis, rule out other conditions such as colon cancer or inflammatory bowel disease, and check for complications. At Gastro in Florida, colonoscopy is performed in our office endoscopy suite in Okeechobee with sedation and same-day results.
Treatment options
Treatment depends on severity. Mild diverticulitis often improves with rest, a temporary liquid or low-fiber diet, and medicines as directed by your doctor, with a gradual return to a high-fiber diet as symptoms settle. More severe episodes may require hospitalization, antibiotics, and fluids. Surgery is reserved for complications such as abscess, perforation, blockage, or repeated severe attacks, and your gastroenterologist will coordinate with a surgeon if needed. Long-term prevention focuses on a high-fiber diet, regular activity, staying hydrated, and not smoking. This page is general education only; your treatment plan should be based on your own evaluation.
When to see a specialist
See a gastroenterologist after any episode of diverticulitis, for follow-up colonoscopy once the inflammation has settled, or if you have ongoing abdominal pain, constipation, or blood in the stool. Seek urgent care right away for severe abdominal pain, high fever, vomiting, inability to pass gas or stool, heavy rectal bleeding, fainting, or a rigid, swollen abdomen — these can signal a complication that needs emergency treatment.
Related conditions: Abdominal Pain, Constipation, Colon Polyps.
For diverticulitis and diverticulosis diagnosis and treatment in Okeechobee, call Gastro in Florida at (863) 824-3447 to schedule an appointment with Dr. Vikram Tarugu.
Patients from Sebring, Fort Pierce, Port St. Lucie, and across Central Florida visit our Okeechobee office for diverticulitis follow-up and colonoscopy, with same-day appointments available when symptoms are worrying. If you have had diverticulitis before, keep a note of your episodes and bring it to your appointment so Dr. Tarugu can plan your follow-up.