Diverticulosis and Diverticulitis

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Medical Author:

John P. Cunha, DO, FACOEP

John P. Cunha, DO, FACOEP

John P. Cunha, DO, is a U.S. board-certified Emergency Medicine Physician. Dr. Cunha's educational background includes a BS in Biology from Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey, and a DO from the Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences in Kansas City, MO. He completed residency training in Emergency Medicine at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center in Newark, New Jersey.

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Medical Editor:

William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR

William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR

Dr. Shiel received a Bachelor of Science degree with honors from the University of Notre Dame. There he was involved in research in radiation biology and received the Huisking Scholarship. After graduating from St. Louis University School of Medicine, he completed his Internal Medicine residency and Rheumatology fellowship at the University of California, Irvine. He is board-certified in Internal Medicine and Rheumatology.

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Medical Editor:

Bhupinder Anand, MD

• Diverticulitis Overview
• Diverticulitis Causes
• Diverticulitis Symptoms
• When to Seek Medical Care
• Diverticulitis Diagnosis
• Diverticulitis Treatment
• Diverticulitis Self-Care at Home
• Diverticulitis Medical Treatment
• Diverticulitis Surgery
• Diverticulitis Diet
• Diverticulitis Follow-up
• Diverticulitis Prevention
• Diverticulitis Prognosis
• Synonyms and Keywords
• Author and Editors
• Read more on Diverticulosis and Diverticulitis from Healthwise
• Viewer Comments: Diverticulitis (Diverticulosis) - Surgery Recovery
• Viewer Comments: Diverticulitis (Diverticulosis) - Symptoms at Onset of Disease

Diverticulitis Overview

Diverticula are small pouches in the wall of the digestive tract. They occur when the inner layer of the digestive tract bulges through weak spots in the outer layer. (This is similar to what happens when an inner tube bulges through a tire.)

• Although these pouches can occur any place from the mouth to the anus, most occur in the large intestine (colon), especially the left (lower) portion of the colon just before the rectum.
  
  
• These marble-sized pouches usually occur where the blood vessels run through the intestinal wall.
  
  
• Individuals who have these pouches are said to have diverticulosis.
  
  
• Because this condition typically does not cause symptoms, most people are unaware that they have diverticulosis.

Diverticulitis vs diverticulosis

Diverticulitis is inflammation of diverticula. Diverticulitis occurs when one or more of these pouches becomes inflamed or infected. Some people with diverticulosis become aware of the condition only when acute diverticulitis occurs.

Diverticulosis is a very common condition in the United States.

• Diverticulosis is mainly a condition of older people.
  
  
• Approximately 10% of Americans over the age of 40 have diverticulosis. As we age, the condition becomes more prevalent. Over half of people older than 60 years of age develop the condition, and about two-thirds of individuals older than 80 years of age are believed to have diverticulosis.
  
  
• Only about 10% to 25% of people with diverticulosis will develop diverticulitis.

Diverticulosis is more common in developed or industrialized countries.

• In places such as the United States, England, and Australia, where the typical diet is low in fiber and high in highly processed carbohydrates, diverticulosis is common. The current theory is that a low-fiber diet may cause increased incidence of diverticular disease.
  
  
• Diverticulosis first appeared in the United States in the early 1900s. This was about the same time when processed foods were first introduced into the U.S. diet.
  
  
• Diverticulosis is much less common in countries of Asia and Africa, where the typical diet is high in fiber.

Most people recover from diverticulitis without complications if they receive appropriate treatment. Diverticulitis can lead to some very serious conditions if it is not detected and treated promptly. To a great extent, diverticulosis and diverticulitis can be prevented by changes in lifestyle and habits.