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Diverticulosis

Show Alternative Names

Diverticula - diverticulosis

Diverticular disease - diverticulosis

G.I. bleed - diverticulosis

Gastrointestinal hemorrhage - diverticulosis

Gastrointestinal bleed - diverticulosis

Jejunal diverticulosis

Diverticulosis occurs when small, bulging sacs or pouches form on the inner wall of the intestine. These sacs are called diverticula. Most often, these pouches form in the large intestine (colon). They may also occur in the jejunum in the small intestine, although this is less common.

Causes

Diverticulosis is less common in people age 40 and younger. It's more common in older adults. About half of Americans over age 60 have this condition. Most people will have it by age 80.

No one knows exactly what causes these pouches to form.

For many years, it was thought that eating a low-fiber diet may play a role. Not eating enough fiber can cause constipation (hard stools). Straining to pass stools (feces) increases the pressure in the colon or intestines. This may cause the pouches to form at weak spots in the colon wall. However, whether a low-fiber diet leads to this problem is not well proven.

Other possible risk factors that are also not well proven are lack of exercise and obesity.

Eating nuts, popcorn, or corn does not appear to lead to inflammation of these pouches (diverticulitis).

Diverticulitis

Diverticula are small, bulging sacs or pouches that form on the inner wall of the intestine. Diverticulitis occurs when these pouches become inflame...

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Symptoms

Most people with diverticulosis have no symptoms.

When symptoms occur, they may include:

Pain and cramps in your stomach especially in the left lower abdomen
Constipation (sometimes diarrhea)
Constipation
Constipation in infants and children means they have hard stools or have problems passing stools. A child may have pain while passing stools or may ...
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Bloating or gas
Not feeling hungry and not eating

You may notice small amounts of blood in your stools or on toilet paper. Rarely, more severe bleeding may occur.

Exams and Tests

Diverticulosis is often found during an exam for another health problem. For example, it is often discovered during a colonoscopy.

Colonoscopy

A colonoscopy is an exam that views the inside of the colon (large intestine) and rectum, using a tool called a colonoscope. The colonoscope has a sm...

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If you do have symptoms, you may have one or more of the following tests:

Blood tests to see if you have an infection or have lost too much blood
CT scan or ultrasound of the abdomen if you have bleeding, loose stools, or pain
CT scan
An abdominal CT scan is an imaging test that uses x-rays to create cross-sectional pictures of the belly area. CT stands for computed tomography....
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Ultrasound
Abdominal ultrasound is a type of imaging test. It is used to look at organs in the abdomen, including the liver, gallbladder, pancreas, and kidneys...
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A colonoscopy is needed to make the diagnosis.

A colonoscopy is an exam that views the inside of the colon and rectum. A small camera attached to a tube can reach the length of the colon.
This test should not be done when you are having symptoms of acute diverticulitis.

Angiography:

Angiography

Mesenteric angiography is a test used to look at the blood vessels that supply the stomach, small and large intestines, and other internal organs. An...

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Angiography is an imaging test that uses x-rays and a special dye to see inside the blood vessels.
This test is done to determine a site of bleeding in the GI tract. It may be used if the area of bleeding is not seen during a colonoscopy.

Treatment

Because most people have no symptoms, most of the time, no treatment is needed.

Your health care provider may recommend getting more fiber in your diet. A high-fiber diet has many health benefits. Most people don't get enough fiber. To help prevent constipation, you should:

High-fiber diet

Fiber is a substance found in plants. Dietary fiber, the kind you eat, is found in fruits, vegetables, and grains. Your body cannot digest fiber, s...

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Eat plenty of whole grains, beans, fruits, and vegetables. Limit processed foods.
Drink plenty of fluids.
Get regular exercise.
Talk with your provider about taking a fiber supplement.

You should avoid NSAIDs such as aspirin, ibuprofen (Motrin), and naproxen (Aleve). These medicines can make bleeding and diverticulitis (inflammation) more likely.

For bleeding that does not stop or recurs:

Colonoscopy may be used to inject medicines or burn a certain area in the intestine to stop the bleeding.
Colonoscopy
A colonoscopy is an exam that views the inside of the colon (large intestine) and rectum, using a tool called a colonoscope. The colonoscope has a sm...
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Angiography may be used to infuse medicines or block off a blood vessel.

If bleeding does not stop or recurs many times, removal of a section of the colon may be needed.

Removal of a section of the colon

Large bowel resection is surgery to remove all or part of your large bowel. This surgery is also called colectomy. The large bowel is also called t...

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Outlook (Prognosis)

Most people who have diverticulosis have no symptoms. Once these pouches have formed, you will have them for life.

Up to 25% of people with the condition will develop diverticulitis. This occurs when small pieces of stool become trapped in the pouches, causing infection or swelling.