Ulcerative colitis and diverticulitis are conditions that affect your digestive system. Although they have some common symptoms, they are entirely different conditions with unique causes and treatments.
Both ulcerative colitis and diverticulitis are digestive conditions that can cause uncomfortable symptoms like stomach pain, diarrhea, and blood in your stool. But there are key differences between the two.
- Diverticulitis is a condition characterized by the development of small, bulging
sacs in the colon (large intestine). - Ulcerative colitis is a chronic condition where the inner lining of the colon becomes inflamed and causes
ulcers to develop .
Diverticulitis and ulcerative colitis require different treatment plans, which is why it’s important that you visit a healthcare professional if you have symptoms of either condition.
This article reviews the differences and similarities between ulcerative colitis and diverticulitis, as well as how they are diagnosed and treated.
While both conditions affect your digestive system and have several overlapping symptoms, ulcerative colitis and diverticulitis are two distinct conditions with unique causes and symptoms.
Here are the causes and symptoms of each condition.
Ulcerative colitis: Causes and symptoms
Ulcerative colitis is a type of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). People with ulcerative colitis develop inflammation and ulcers in their large intestine.
It’s considered chronic, meaning that people who have the condition have it for life. Still, with the right treatment, many people are able to effectively manage their symptoms.
It’s not known exactly what causes ulcerative colitis. Medical experts believe the following factors may play a role:
- Your genes: If your parents or grandparents had ulcerative colitis, you may have inherited certain genes that make you more prone to developing it too.
- Unusual immune reactions: It’s thought that ulcerative colitis may be triggered by abnormal reactions in the immune system.
- Microbiome differences: Certain bacteria, viruses, and fungi in your digestive tract (known as your microbiome) may play a role in triggering ulcerative colitis.
- Environmental factors: Experts believe that your surroundings may play a role in causing ulcerative colitis, especially if you have other risk factors.
Ulcerative colitis symptoms can vary a lot from person to person. Some of the most common symptoms include:
- diarrhea
- stomach pain
- blood in stool
- decreased appetite
- weight loss
- fatigue
- malnutrition, such as anemia
- decreased growth (in children)
Diverticulitis: Causes and symptoms
Diverticulitis is a condition in which small pouches or sacs develop in the lining of the colon (large intestine). These pouches in the wall of the colon can become infected or inflamed, causing a diverticulitis flare-up.
Although there’s no single cause of diverticulitis, it does become more common as you age. There are several other factors that can
- a family history of diverticulitis
- a diet that’s low in fiber
- a diet that’s high in red meat
- having obesity
- a sedentary lifestyle
- smoking
- decreased immune function
- certain medications, such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and steroids
Symptoms of diverticulitis are mainly digestive in nature and may be moderate to severe. Typical symptoms of diverticulitis include:
- stomach pain, usually on the left side
- abdominal bloating
- constipation
- diarrhea
- vomiting
- nausea
- fever
- chills
Because both ulcerative colitis and diverticulitis affect your digestive system and have symptoms that overlap — it’s not possible to tell which condition you have from symptoms alone. That’s why it’s important to talk with your doctor if you have symptoms of either condition.
A gastroenterologist is a physician who diagnoses these conditions. Many people first visit their primary care professional (PCP) with digestive symptoms and then get a referral to a gastroenterologist if their PCP thinks a full workup and diagnosis are necessary.
Many of the tests used to help diagnose
- blood tests to look for nutritional deficiencies and signs of infections
- stool tests
- a colonoscopy to visualize the lining of the rectum and colon
If your doctor thinks you may have diverticulitis, you might also undergo imaging tests, such as an MRI, CT scan, or ultrasound.
If your doctor suspects ulcerative colitis, they may also order a flexible sigmoidoscopy, which is used to view and analyze the lining of the rectum and lower colon. An ulcerative colitis diagnosis often also involves a biopsy of the large intestine.
Ulcerative colitis and diverticulitis have different treatment plans and treatment durations. Again, this is why it’s imperative to get a proper diagnosis so that your treatment plan is geared toward the correct condition.
Treatment for diverticulitis
Typically,
Sometimes medications are prescribed to decrease inflammation, and pain relievers are often used to reduce pain and discomfort as the infection clears.
Treatment for ulcerative colitis
Most medications prescribed for ulcerative colitis aim to reduce inflammation in the colon. The type of medication your doctor will prescribe depends on the severity of the disease. Common medications include:
- Aminosalicylates: This type of medication (also known as 5-ASA drugs) helps ease symptoms by decreasing inflammation in the colon. It’s recommended for people with mild to moderate ulcerative colitis.
- Corticosteroids: Used for mild to moderate ulcerative colitis, corticosteroids help decrease your body’s overall immune system response, which reduces inflammation. This medication is usually prescribed for people who don’t get symptom relief from aminosalicylates.
- Immunosuppressants: Prescribed for people with moderate to severe ulcerative colitis, immunosuppressants decrease your body’s response to its own immune system.
- Biologics: Developed in a lab from a living organism, biologic drugs prevent specific proteins in your body from causing inflammation. They’re usually used to treat moderate to severe ulcerative colitis.
Doctors usually only recommend surgery for ulcerative colitis when people don’t respond to other medical treatments.
Both ulcerative colitis and diverticulitis can be serious, especially if untreated. While many people recover after an acute episode of diverticulitis, ulcerative colitis requires lifelong treatment.
If left untreated, ulcerative colitis can be severe. Complications may lead to:
- a perforated colon (hole in the wall of the large intestine)
- fulminant colitis (swelling and distention of the colon)
- toxic megacolon (abnormal and severe dilation of the colon)
- severe dehydration
Treatment of ulcerative colitis is usually effective and long periods of
Complications of diverticulitis can include:
- an abscess in the intestine
- phlegmon (a reaction where the body tries to contain an infection)
- a fistula (an unnatural connection between one structure and another; for instance, an opening between the bladder and colon)
- a perforated colon
- bowel obstruction (a blockage in the colon)
- secondary bouts of diverticulitis
Although treatment of diverticulitis is usually effective, about
Yes, it’s possible to have both ulcerative colitis and diverticulitis at the same time. While there’s not a lot of research about this phenomenon, it’s considered a rare occurrence.
If you have any symptoms of diverticulitis or ulcerative colitis, it’s important to get a proper diagnosis to determine if you have one or the other condition, or both at the same time.
Ulcerative colitis and diverticulitis are both conditions that affect your digestive system. They have some symptoms in common, such as abdominal pain, diarrhea, and blood in the stool. However, they are entirely different conditions, with different diagnoses and treatment plans.
If you have symptoms of either condition, it’s important to see a doctor to determine whether you have either of these conditions.
Without the right treatment, both ulcerative colitis and diverticulitis can get worse and lead to potentially serious complications.