Diverticulitis is swelling and infection of diverticula. These are small pouches that can form in the wall of the large intestine.
DiverticulitisCopyright © Nucleus Medical Media, Inc. |
This problem is more common in older adults.
Things that may raise the risk of pouches forming are:
Symptoms can come on suddenly. They vary from person to person and may include:
The doctor will ask about your symptoms and health history. A physical exam will be done. Blood, urine, and stool tests may also be done.
Images may be taken. This can be done with:
The goal is to treat the infection and ease symptoms. Options are:
Increasing dietary fiber may prevent symptoms from returning in some people.
The risk of this problem may be lowered by:
American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons
https://www.fascrs.org
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
https//www.niddk.nih.gov
Dietitians of Canada
http://www.dietitians.ca
Health Canada
https://www.canada.ca
Diverticular disease. American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons website. Available at: https://www.fascrs.org/patients/disease-condition/diverticular-disease. Accessed February 9, 2021.
Diverticular disease. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases website. Available at: https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/digestive-diseases/diverticulosis-diverticulitis. Accessed February 9, 2021.
Diverticulitis. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: https://www.dynamed.com/condition/diverticulitis. Accessed February 9, 2021.
Stollman N, Smalley W, et al, AGA Institute Clinical Guidelines Committee. American Gastroenterological Association Institute Guideline on the Management of Acute Diverticulitis. Gastroenterology. 2015 Dec;149(7):1944-9, technical review can be found in Gastroenterology 2015 Dec;149(7):1950.
7/31/2018 DynaMed Systematic Literature Surveillance https://www.dynamed.com/condition/diverticulitis: Ma W, Jovani M, et al. Association between obesity and weight change and risk of diverticulitis in women. Gastroenterology. 2018 Jul;155(1):58-66.e4.
Last reviewed December 2020 by EBSCO Medical Review Board James P. Cornell, MD