What is Diverticulitis?
A diverticulum (plural: diverticula) is a small sac or an outward pouch-like structure that is present within the large intestine. It is formed through points of weakness within the muscular wall of the intestine.
Diverticulitis is a medical condition in which one or more diverticula becomes inflamed and swollen.
What is Diverticulitis?
How Common is Diverticulitis?
Presence of diverticula is a common condition and it increases with age. In the United States, more than half of people over the age of 70 have diverticula. It is estimated that 1 in 5 people with diverticula develop diverticulitis at some stage.

How Common is Diverticulitis?

Symptoms of Diverticulitis
- Severe abdominal pain (mostly in the left lower abdomen)
- Fever
- Feeling of illness
- Bloating, nausea, or vomiting
- Constipation
- Diarrhea
- Blood in the stool
Causes of Diverticulitis
Diverticula are formed within the muscular wall of the intestine through the weakened points. This condition is common with old age and low-fiber diets. In old age, the muscle walls naturally become weak. With a low-fiber diet, the constipation occurs. When you are constipated, the repeated straining and the presence of hard stool within the intestine will increase the pressure within the intestine, it will result in the formation of the outward sac or pouch (diverticula) within the weakened muscle walls.
Risk Factors of Diverticulitis
Risk factors for Diverticulitis include:
- Elderly persons
- Chronic constipation
- Straining to have the bowel movements
- Western diet
- Obesity
- Smoking
Complications of Diverticulitis
- Peritonitis – infection involving the lining of abdominal cavity
- Abscess – a localized collection of pus
- Fistula – an abnormal tunnel-like tract between two areas
- Obstruction – a blockage of the intestine
- Sepsis
Diagnosis of Diverticulitis
- Barium enema – specialized x-ray study to view the outline of the lower intestine. Barium is used in this testing. Barium is a contrast medium that highlights the lining.
- Flexible sigmoidoscopy – thin, flexible tube that contains a camera to directly view the sigmoid colon.
- Colonoscopy – thin, flexible tube that contains a camera to directly view the entire colon.
- Computed tomography (CT) scan.
Treatment of Diverticulitis
- A fluid-only diet for a few days until your symptoms improve.
- In severe cases, your doctor may also advise you to not eat and prescribe an intravenous diet to rest your digestive system.
- Antibiotics
- Pain killers
- Surgical Management of Diverticulitis
- Remove the diseased part of the colon
- Re-open parts of the colon that have become blocked
- Close fistulas and drain abscesses
Diet and Exercise
- Increasing physical activity including aerobics.
- Dietary changes including increasing dietary fiber and using stool softeners.
- Avoiding low-fiber foods, such as ice cream, cheese, white bread, and meat.
- Drinking plenty of fluids. You should drink at least eight to ten glasses of water daily.
- Reduce weight, if you are obese.
- Quitting smoking.