Diverticulitis and Night Sweats: The Link Explained

Understanding Diverticulitis

Diverticulitis is a digestive condition that affects the diverticula, which are small pouches that can form in the wall of your colon. When these pouches become inflamed or infected, it results in the condition known as diverticulitis.

Common Symptoms

Some of the most common signs and symptoms of diverticulitis include:

• Abdominal pain, usually in the lower left side
• Fever and chills
• Nausea or vomiting
• Bloating and gas
• Constipation or diarrhea

What Causes Diverticulitis?

Doctors aren't entirely sure what causes diverticula to form in the colon wall. Contributing factors seem to include:

• Low fiber diets
• Obesity
• Lack of exercise
• Genetic predisposition

Repeated infection and inflammation of these pouches leads to full-blown diverticulitis. Fecal matter and bacteria becomes trapped inside the pouches, further aggravating swelling and irritation.

Night Sweats and Diverticulitis

The Link Explained

Intense night sweats aren’t commonly listed as a typical symptom of diverticulitis. However, there does seem to be a correlation reported by certain patients.

Doctors theorize nocturnal sweating may occur because inflammation from diverticulitis triggers immune responses in the body. This effects hypothalamus regulation, impacting body temperature control which is heightened while sleeping.

The rise of interluekin-6, a pro-inflammatory cytokine, is also known to cause sweats and chills with infection.

Other Causes of Night Sweats

That said, diverticulitis patients experiencing intense night sweats should also have other potential causes evaluated, including:

• Hormonal conditions
• Autoimmune disorders
• Respiratory infections
• Chronic fatigue syndrome
• Tuberculosis
• Certain cancers or cancer treatments

Your medical provider will take detailed history and may run tests to determine if an unrelated condition is contributing to your night sweats symptoms.

Managing Nocturnal Sweating

There are a few self-care steps to help reduce sweating at night from diverticulitis:

• Take a cool bath 1-2 hours before bedtime
• Keep bedroom cool & layered bedding for adjusting comfort
• Wear moisture wicking night clothes
• Use a bedside fan while sleeping
• Avoid spicy foods & alcohol before bed
• Manage stress through relaxation techniques

As diverticulitis symptoms resolve with treatment, night sweats often dissipate. But be sure to let your doctor know if they persist without explanation.

Diagnosing Diverticulitis

Medical Evaluation

If diverticulitis is suspected, your doctor will typically start by:

• Discussing your symptoms & medical history
• Performing a physical exam of your abdomen
• Ordering blood tests to assess infection/inflammation

Advanced Testing

If initial exam is inconclusive, the following tests help confirm diagnosis:

• CT scan - detailed abdominal imaging showing diverticula & surrounding tissue inflammation
• Colonoscopy - visual inspection of colon lining to check for infection signs
• Laparoscopy - surgery with camera probe inserted in abdomen to examine organs

Differential Diagnosis

Since other digestive conditions have similar symptoms, ruling out the following is important:

• Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
• Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
• Intestinal infection
• Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)
• Colorectal cancer

Treating Diverticular Disease

Mild Diverticulitis

Uncomplicated diverticulitis involves only localized swelling. Treatment typically includes:

• Clear liquid diet + oral antibiotics for ~7 days
• Progressing back to low-fiber foods gradually
• Probiotic supplements to restore gut bacteria

Symptoms often resolve within 2 weeks with this conservative regimen. But notify your doctor if condition worsens despite outpatient treatment.

Severe Diverticulitis

For advanced infection causing abscess, fistula, perforation or peritonitis - hospitalization is required. Interventions may involve:

• IV fluids + intravenous antibiotics
• Tube placement for drainage & containment
• Emergency bowel resection surgery if colon wall rupture

After the acute episode has stabilized, most patients fully recover within 4 to 6 weeks.

Preventing Recurrence

Lifestyle measures to reduce future diverticulitis flares include:

• High fiber diet with whole grains & vegetables
• Drink 6-8 glasses of fluids daily
• Regular exercise, aim for 30 minutes daily
• Maintain healthy body weight
• Consider probiotic supplements

Some doctors also prescribe low doses of antibiotics as secondary prophylaxis.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.