What symptom is commonly associated with diverticulitis?

Severe abdominal pain is a common symptom associated with diverticulitis because the condition involves the inflammation or infection of diverticula, which are small pouches that can form in the walls of the colon. When these pouches become inflamed, they can cause significant discomfort, often localized to the lower left abdomen. This pain can vary in intensity, but it is typically characterized as sharp or cramp-like, and it may be accompanied by other symptoms such as fever and changes in bowel habits.

Other options, while they may be associated with different gastrointestinal issues, do not commonly relate to diverticulitis specifically. For instance, bloody stools and painless rectal bleeding are more indicative of conditions such as hemorrhoids, colorectal cancer, or other forms of gastrointestinal bleeding. Weight loss can occur in chronic digestive disorders but is not a primary symptom of acute diverticulitis. In summary, severe abdominal pain stands out as the hallmark symptom of diverticulitis due to the direct impact of inflammation on the affected area of the colon.