What is Diverticulosis
Diverticulosis is a condition that develops when small pouches (diverticula) form in the wall of the large intestine (colon). The colon is where water is absorbed and stool is formed.
The pouches form when the inside layer of the colon pushes through weak spots in the outer layers of the colon. You may have a few pouches or many of them.
What are the causes?
The cause of this condition is not known.
What increases the risk?
The following factors may make you more likely to develop this condition:
- Being older than age 60. Your risk for this condition increases with age. Diverticulosis is rare among people younger than age 30. By age 80, many people have it.
- Eating a low-fiber diet.
- Having frequent constipation.
- Being overweight.
- Not getting enough exercise.
- Smoking.
- Taking over-the-counter pain medicines, like aspirin and ibuprofen.
- Having a family history of diverticulosis.
What are the signs or symptoms?
In most people, there are no symptoms of this condition. If you do have symptoms, they may include:
- Bloating.
- Cramps in the abdomen.
- Constipation or diarrhea.
- Pain in the lower left side of the abdomen.
How is this diagnosed?
This condition is most often diagnosed during an exam for other colon problems. Because diverticulosis usually has no symptoms, it often cannot be diagnosed independently. This condition may be diagnosed by:
- Using a flexible scope to examine the colon (colonoscopy).
- Taking an X-ray of the colon after dye has been put into the colon (barium enema).
- Doing a CT scan.
How is this treated?
You may not need treatment for this condition if you have never developed an infection related to diverticulosis. If you have had an infection before, treatment may include:
- Eating a high-fiber diet. This may include eating more fruits, vegetables, and grains.
- Taking a fiber supplement.
- Taking a live bacteria supplement (probiotic).
- Taking medicine to relax your colon.
- Taking antibiotic medicines.
Follow these instructions at home:
- Drink 6–8 glasses of water or more each day to prevent constipation.
- Try not to strain when you have a bowel movement.
- If
you have had an infection before:
- Eat more fiber as directed by your health care provider or your diet and nutrition specialist (dietitian).
- Take a fiber supplement or probiotic, if your health care provider approves.
- Take over-the-counter and prescription medicines only as told by your health care provider.
- If you were prescribed an antibiotic, take it as told by your health care provider. Do notstop taking the antibiotic even if you start to feel better.
- Keep all follow-up visits as told by your health care provider. This is important.
Contact a health care provider if:
- You have pain in your abdomen.
- You have bloating.
- You have cramps.
- You have not had a bowel movement in 3 days.
Get help right away if:
- Your pain gets worse.
- Your bloating becomes very bad.
- You have a fever or chills, and your symptoms suddenly get worse.
- You vomit.
- You have bowel movements that are bloody or black.
- You have bleeding from your rectum.
Summary
- Diverticulosis is a condition that develops when small pouches (diverticula) form in the wall of the large intestine (colon).
- You may have a few pouches or many of them.
- This condition is most often diagnosed during an exam for other colon problems.
- If you have had an infection related to diverticulosis, treatment may include increasing the fiber in your diet, taking supplements, or taking medicines.
