Colorectal Diseases Non Cancerous Colorectal Disease

Diverticulosis and Diverticulitis

What are Diverticulosis and Diverticulitis?

In the colons of most people, small pouches bulge outward through weak spots, like an inner tube pushing through weak places in a tire. Each pouch is called a diverticulum (pouches are diverticula). The condition of having diverticula is called diverticulosis. About half of all Americans age 60 to 80, and almost everyone over age 80, have diverticulosis.

When the pouches become infected or inflamed, the condition is called diverticulitis. This happens in 10 to 25 percent of people with diverticulosis. Diverticulosis and diverticulitis are also called diverticular disease.

Symptoms of Diverticulosis and Diverticulitis

Diverticulosis typically causes little or no discomfort, and most people with diverticulosis are unaware of their condition. Cramps, bloating, and irregular bowel movements may be mild symptoms.

Diverticulitis usually causes pain in the lower left abdomen. If diverticulosis is caused by infection, then a person may also experience fever, chills, nausea, vomiting, cramping, and constipation. Moreover, numerous complications can develop from chronic diverticulitis, including diffuse peritonitis, localized abscess, fistulas (such as a colovesical or colovaginal), and obstruction of the colon.

Treating Diverticular Disease

Diverticulosis is most often caused by inadequate dietary fiber; it is one of the most common diseases in the US, England and Australia, and results from modern-day low-fiber diets. Many people are able to improve diverticular disease by increasing the quantity of fiber in their diets, such as by increasing their consumption of whole grains (such as whole wheat as opposed to refined white flour), fresh vegetables, and fresh fruits. Treatments for acute diverticulitis may also include pain medications, oral or intravenous antibiotics, a liquid diet, bed rest, and medications to stop muscle spasms in the colon. In severe cases, surgery may be required.

For further information about diverticulitis and diverticulosis, please see the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse.