Diverticulitis is a problem that can happen to people who have diverticulosis, which means small pouches have formed inside their colon. If one of these pouches gets irritated or infected, it can lead to inflammation. A sharp pain in the lower left side of your belly could be a sign of diverticulitis.
While many individuals with diverticula remain asymptomatic, some may develop diverticulitis, leading to various health concerns. This article delves into the life expectancy of diverticulitis disease as and after diverticulitis surgery, associated death rates, and much more.
Diverticulitis Life Expectancy
Diverticulitis usually doesn’t affect a person’s life. Most people with diverticular disease don’t have complications and can live normal, healthy lives. While complications from diverticulitis can be serious and even life-threatening, they are rare. The risk of severe problems is generally low unless there is a bowel perforation or a ruptured abscess.
In most cases, diverticulitis clears up quickly with proper treatment. A mild flare-up usually lasts only a few days, though in some cases, it can take up to two weeks to fully recover. With the right care, including medication and short-term dietary changes, most people make a full recovery.
If complications do occur, surgery may be necessary to repair any damage. A minimally invasive procedure called a sigmoidectomy can remove the affected part of the colon and help prevent future flare-ups, allowing patients to return to normal life.
How Does Diverticulitis Affect Life Expectancy?
For most people, having diverticula (small pouches in the colon) doesn’t cause symptoms or serious problems. However, about 5% of people with diverticular disease may develop diverticulitis and around 20% of those cases are considered “complicated diverticulitis.”
Some possible complications of diverticulitis include:
- Abscesses – Pockets of pus that can form in the body.
- Bleeding – While uncommon, diverticula can sometimes bleed. Severe bleeding can be life-threatening.
- Bowel obstructions – A blockage in the colon that prevents stool from passing, which can be painful and may require hospital treatment.
- Bowel surgery – In severe cases, part of the colon may need to be surgically removed
- Fistulae – An abnormal connection between two organs or between an organ and the skin.
- Perforation – A hole in the intestines, which can be extremely dangerous. About 20% of people who had a perforation from diverticulitis died within a year.
Diverticulitis Life Expectancy: Differences in Men and Women
Diverticular disease becomes more common as people age. However, men under 60 are more likely to develop diverticulitis than women in the same age group. After age 60, it becomes more common in women.
There may also be differences in how diverticulitis complications affect life expectancy between men and women. One study found that women were nearly twice as likely as men to die from diverticulitis-related complications.
The exact reasons for this difference aren’t entirely clear. However, women are more likely to develop sepsis (a dangerous, life-threatening response to infection), while men are more likely to experience surgical complications. Because of these risks, doctors closely monitor female patients with diverticulitis to prevent severe complications.
Life Expectancy After Diverticulitis Surgery
While diverticulitis surgery does not typically shorten life expectancy, long-term survival rates depend on the severity of the condition before surgery and the patient’s overall health.
Surgery for diverticulitis is usually done when complications arise or frequent diverticulitis flare-ups severely impact a person’s quality of life. Life expectancy after diverticulitis surgery depends on several factors, including age, overall health, the type of surgery performed, and whether any complications occur after the procedure. Studies show that:
After diverticulitis with an abscess or perforation, the survival rate is 91% at 5 years, 85% at 10 years, and 69% at 15 years.
After perforated diverticulitis, 5-year survival drops to 53%, highlighting the severity of this complication.
After Hartmann’s procedure (a surgery performed for severe acute diverticulitis), survival rates are promising:
- 100% at 1 year
- 96% at 2 years
- 88.9% at 5 years
Several factors influence survival after surgery, including:
- Age – Older patients may have a harder time recovering.
- ASA classification – A measure of a patient’s overall health before surgery.
- General condition of the patient – Pre-existing health conditions can impact recovery.
- Type of surgery performed – Some procedures have better long-term outcomes than others.
- Post-surgery complications – Infections, leakage, or other issues can affect survival rates.
Overall, with early detection, appropriate treatment, and good post-operative care, most people who undergo diverticulitis surgery can expect to live a long and healthy life.
Diverticulitis Death Rate
Understanding the diverticulitis death rate is important when evaluating the seriousness of this condition. While diverticulitis is relatively common, it rarely leads to death. However, in some cases, severe complications can arise, increasing the risk of mortality. Several factors play a role in determining this risk, including a person’s age, overall health, and the severity of the infection. Research shows that the mortality rate tends to be higher in older adults, men, and individuals who recently had diverticulitis, compared to those who had it several years earlier.
Additionally, having one or more complications, such as a perforated bowel or a severe infection, significantly raises the risk of death. These findings highlight the importance of early diagnosis and prompt medical treatment to prevent serious outcomes and improve survival rates.
How Long Does Diverticulitis Last?
The length of a diverticulitis attack depends on its severity and how it is treated. Mild cases usually improve within a few days with rest and dietary changes, while uncomplicated diverticulitis typically clears up within a week but can sometimes last up to two weeks. Most people recover within two weeks of starting treatment, which may include bed rest, a liquid diverticulitis diet, antibiotics, and pain relief medication.
While many people recover fully after an episode of diverticulitis, there is a chance that it could happen again:
- About one-third of people will experience another flare-up.
- Half of those who have a recurrence will have it again within a year.
- Around 90% will have a recurrence within five years.
Because of this risk, following medical advice and making lifestyle changes—such as eating a high-fibre diet, staying hydrated, and exercising regularly—can help prevent future episodes and improve long-term digestive health.
Final Thought
In most cases, diverticulitis is not life-threatening and does not typically shorten a person’s lifespan. However, symptoms like abdominal pain, constipation, diarrhoea, or bleeding in the lower digestive tract can sometimes lead to complications that may increase the risk of serious health issues.
Diverticulitis is usually treated at home with rest and a liquid or low-fibre diet in the early stages. However, if complications arise, hospital treatment is necessary to prevent further problems and ensure proper recovery.
If you are struggling with diverticulitis and have tried every home remedy, then book your consultation with our diverticular disease specialist today.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can I live a long life with diverticulitis?
Yes, most people with diverticulitis – even those with complications – recover completely with proper treatment. In general, diverticulitis does not affect life expectancy. However, in rare cases, a bowel perforation or ruptured abscess could lead to serious, life-threatening complications.
2. Should I be worried about diverticula?
Diverticulosis is a common condition, especially as people age. It means that small pouches, called diverticula, form in the lining of the colon. Most of the time, they don’t cause any problems. However, in rare cases, they may bleed or become infected, leading to diverticulitis.
3. Does diverticulitis go away permanently?
Treatment for diverticulitis helps heal the infection, reduce inflammation, and relieve pain. However, the condition isn’t technically “cured” because the diverticula (pouches) remain. Since these pouches can become infected again, there is always a chance of future flare-ups.
4. Is diverticulitis a serious condition?
For most people, diverticulitis is not severe and can be managed with routine medical care. However, serious or complicated cases may require treatment from a team of specialists, including gastroenterologists, interventional radiologists, and surgeons, to ensure the best possible care.
5. How painful is diverticulitis?
Diverticulitis pain is often severe, constant, and can feel sharp. It is most commonly felt in the lower left abdomen, but some people experience it in the upper abdomen as well.
- The pain may come on suddenly.
- It can start mild and gradually get worse.
- The intensity may change over time.
