What Is It?

In diverticulosis, small pouches develop and bulge out through weak spots in the walls of the colon, typically in the part of the colon called the sigmoid colon on the left side of the abdomen. These small, balloonlike pouches are called diverticula.

The condition is more prevalent as people age. For example, it is estimated that half of people in the United States aged 60 to 80 have diverticulosis, but only one person in 10 develops it by age 40. It is equally common in women and men.

If the diverticula become inflamed or infected, the condition is called diverticulitis. This happens in about 10% to 25% of people with diverticulosis.

Diverticulitis can lead to serious complications such as abscess, perforation, intestinal blockage from internal scarring, or fistula, which is an abnormal connection between two organs. A rare but life-threatening complication called peritonitis can occur when diverticula rupture, leaking infection into the abdominal cavity.

Symptoms

Most people who have diverticulosis don't have any symptoms, but some have mild cramps, constipation or bloating. Diverticulitis causes more severe symptoms, including any of the following, but particularly the first two:

• Steady abdominal pain

• Tenderness to pressure in the lower abdomen

• Fever

• Nausea

• Vomiting

• Chills

• Cramping

• Change in bowel habits (constipation or diarrhea)

• Rectal bleeding

• Sharper pain with breathing or jarring movements such as walking.