Diverticular Bleeding

Topic Overview

What is diverticular bleeding?

Diverticular bleeding occurs when pouches (diverticula) that have developed in the wall of the large intestine (colon) bleed. These pouches are called diverticulosis.

Diverticular bleeding causes a large amount of blood to appear in your stool. Bleeding starts suddenly and usually stops on its own. Abdominal pain usually does not occur with the bleeding.

If you have a large amount of blood in your stool, see a health professional right away. It is possible, but not common, to quickly lose so much blood that you become lightheaded or weak.

What causes diverticular bleeding?

Pouches (diverticula) form along the wall of the large intestine (colon) when high pressure inside the colon pushes against weak spots in the colon wall. Bleeding occurs when a hole (perforation) develops between a pouch (diverticulum) and a blood vessel.

What are the symptoms?

Diverticular bleeding usually causes sudden, severe bleeding from the rectum. The blood may be dark or bright red clots. In most cases there is no pain, and the bleeding stops on its own.

How is diverticular bleeding diagnosed?

Diverticular bleeding is diagnosed by ruling out other causes of the bleeding. Your health professional will do a medical history and physical examination, along with some tests. Colonoscopy, the inspection of the entire large intestine (colon) using a long, flexible, lighted viewing scope (colonoscope), is considered one of the most useful tests for determining the source of bleeding in the lower intestines.

Your health professional might do a test called technetium-labeled red blood cell bleeding scan to look for the source of bleeding. In this test, some blood is taken from you, and a small amount of radioactive material called technetium is added to the blood. The blood containing the technetium is then injected back into your bloodstream and traced to the source of bleeding.

How is it treated?

Bleeding from diverticula often will stop on its own. If it does not, treatment may be needed to stop it and to replace lost blood, and you may need to be hospitalized. Treatment may include intravenous fluids, blood transfusions, injection of medicines, and in some cases surgery to remove the diseased part of the colon.

Can diverticular bleeding be prevented?

Eating a high-fiber diet, getting plenty of fluid, and exercising regularly may help prevent the formation of diverticula. But if you already have diverticulosis, diet may not help prevent bleeding.

	Go to top of page	Go to next section
Author:	Kathe Gallagher, MSW	Last Updated: August 31, 2006
Medical Review:	Martin Gabica, MD - Family Medicine Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine Jerome B. Simon, MD, FRCPC, FACP - Gastroenterology
© 1995-2008 Healthwise, Incorporated. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated.This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.