Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsCausesDetecting ItDiverticula vs. DiverticulumDiverticulitisCoping With It
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Causes
Detecting It
Diverticula vs. Diverticulum
Diverticulitis
Coping With It
Diverticula are bulges in the lining of the wall of the intestinal tract. They can occur anywhere that the lining of the intestinal tract weakens.They usually occur in the sigmoid colon, the lower part of the colon.
The intestines are long, tubular organs that begin past the stomach and are where food passes through before exiting the body. The large intestine, or colon, is just past the small intestine, and both are part of the gastrointestinal tract tract.
The condition of having diverticula is called diverticulosis. Diverticulitis, on the other hand, is when diverticula become infected. Both diverticula and diverticulitis can be labeled diverticular disease.
About half of adults aged 60 or older live with diverticula. Most people with diverticula do not experience symptoms or complications.
What Is the Main Cause of Diverticula?
The exact cause of diverticula has not yet been discovered, but some possibilities include:
Are Diverticula Forever?Diverticula are not likely to disappear, however, 95% of people with diverticula do not experience symptoms. However, 1 in 5 people with diverticulitis could experience complications.Diverticulitis is a lifelong condition, but it can be managed via a high-fiber diet and a healthy lifestyle.If severe diverticulitis symptoms occur more than twice, surgery to remove parts of the lower intestine (colon) might be required.
Are Diverticula Forever?
Diverticula are not likely to disappear, however, 95% of people with diverticula do not experience symptoms. However, 1 in 5 people with diverticulitis could experience complications.Diverticulitis is a lifelong condition, but it can be managed via a high-fiber diet and a healthy lifestyle.If severe diverticulitis symptoms occur more than twice, surgery to remove parts of the lower intestine (colon) might be required.
Diverticula are not likely to disappear, however, 95% of people with diverticula do not experience symptoms. However, 1 in 5 people with diverticulitis could experience complications.Diverticulitis is a lifelong condition, but it can be managed via a high-fiber diet and a healthy lifestyle.
If severe diverticulitis symptoms occur more than twice, surgery to remove parts of the lower intestine (colon) might be required.
How Do You Know If You Have Diverticula?
Diverticula are common among older adults, many of whom do not experience symptoms. If symptoms occur, they can indicate diverticulitis. Symptoms of diverticulitis might include:
To diagnose diverticula, a healthcare provider might request one or more of the following tests:
Treatment of Diverticula: Only Necessary If SymptomaticDiverticula can be common among older adults. However, if symptoms occur, they might indicate damage to the intestinal walls. Treating diverticulitis can usually be done at home with:Increasedfiber intakeTylenol (acetaminophen) for pain management (avoid NSAIDs, like ibuprofen, as they can irritate the stomach)Bulk-forming laxativeswith plenty of water (ask a healthcare professional which laxatives are best)Blood transfusion, in cases of extreme bleeding, whose symptoms include feeling faint, having clammy skin, and having difficulty breathing
Treatment of Diverticula: Only Necessary If Symptomatic
Diverticula can be common among older adults. However, if symptoms occur, they might indicate damage to the intestinal walls. Treating diverticulitis can usually be done at home with:Increasedfiber intakeTylenol (acetaminophen) for pain management (avoid NSAIDs, like ibuprofen, as they can irritate the stomach)Bulk-forming laxativeswith plenty of water (ask a healthcare professional which laxatives are best)Blood transfusion, in cases of extreme bleeding, whose symptoms include feeling faint, having clammy skin, and having difficulty breathing
Diverticula can be common among older adults. However, if symptoms occur, they might indicate damage to the intestinal walls. Treating diverticulitis can usually be done at home with:
In extreme cases and when at-home treatments fail to work in a couple of days,diverticulitis treatmentcan require:
Can Diverticula Alter Life Expectancy?Diverticula cause no symptoms in 95% of people who have them, however, among people with diverticulitis, 1 in 5 can experience complications. The outlook in patients past the first 100 days of treatment for diverticulitis is that 95% are likely to live at least five more years and 91%are likely to live at least a decade longer. Since most people with diverticula are older, age is a factor in life expectancy after treatment.
Can Diverticula Alter Life Expectancy?
Diverticula cause no symptoms in 95% of people who have them, however, among people with diverticulitis, 1 in 5 can experience complications. The outlook in patients past the first 100 days of treatment for diverticulitis is that 95% are likely to live at least five more years and 91%are likely to live at least a decade longer. Since most people with diverticula are older, age is a factor in life expectancy after treatment.
Diverticula are multiple pouches or bulges pushing through weaker parts of the colon’s lining. The word “diverticulum” refers to a single pouch or bulge.
Diverticula can become inflamed (swollen or infected).Inflammationis the body’s response to injury. Inflammation of the diverticula can cause diverticulitis. Only about 5% of people who have diverticula experience diverticulitis.
Complications of diverticulitis can be highly dangerous, so it’s advised to seek treatment as soon as possible.These complications can include:
Coping With Diverticula
A healthy lifestyle can help with staying healthy while living with diverticula. This includes:
Summary
Most people do not experience symptoms of diverticula. Symptoms of diverticulitis, or inflammation of diverticula, might include extreme stomach pain, blood in stools, cramps, bloating, diarrhea, or constipation.
16 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Cancer Institute.Gastrointestinal tract.MedlinePlus.Diverticulosis and Diverticulitis.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Definition & facts for diverticular disease.NHS.Diverticular disease and diverticulitis.Familydoctor.org.Diverticular disease.MedlinePlus.Dietary fiber.Piccioni A, Franza L, Brigida M, et al.Gut microbiota and acute diverticulitis: role of probiotics in management of this delicate pathophysiological balance.J Pers Med. 2021;11(4):298. doi:10.3390/jpm11040298National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health.Probiotics: What you need to know.Wang H, Wei CX, Min L, Zhu LY.Good or bad: gut bacteria in human health and diseases.Biotechnology & Biotechnological Equipment.2018;32(5):1075-1080. doi:10.1080/13102818.2018.1481350Strate LL, Liu YL, Aldoori WH, Giovannucci EL.Physical activity decreases diverticular complications.Am J Gastroenterol. 2009;104(5):1221-1230. doi:10.1038%2Fajg.2009.121Kaya B, Aras O, Bat O, Bulut NE, Memisoglu K.Steroid-induced sigmoid diverticular perforation in a patient with temporal arteritis: a rare clinical pathology.Clin Med Insights Pathol. 2012;5:11-14. doi:10.4137/CPath.S7924Wijarnpreecha K, Boonpheng B, Thongprayoon C, Jaruvongvanich V, Ungprasert P.Smoking and risk of colonic diverticulosis: A meta-analysis.J Postgrad Med. 2018;64(1):35-39. doi:10.4103/jpgm.JPGM_319_17Miulesco AM.Colonic diverticulosis. Is there a genetic component? Maedica (Bucur). 2020;15(1):105-110. doi:10.26574/maedica.2020.15.1.105Stutter Health.Can diverticulitis be cured?NHSinform.Diverticular disease and diverticulitis.Edna TH, Jamal Talabani A, Lydersen S, Endreseth BH.Survival after acute colon diverticulitis treated in hospital.Int J Colorectal Dis. 2014;29(11):1361-1367. doi:10.1007/s00384-014-1946-3
16 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Cancer Institute.Gastrointestinal tract.MedlinePlus.Diverticulosis and Diverticulitis.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Definition & facts for diverticular disease.NHS.Diverticular disease and diverticulitis.Familydoctor.org.Diverticular disease.MedlinePlus.Dietary fiber.Piccioni A, Franza L, Brigida M, et al.Gut microbiota and acute diverticulitis: role of probiotics in management of this delicate pathophysiological balance.J Pers Med. 2021;11(4):298. doi:10.3390/jpm11040298National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health.Probiotics: What you need to know.Wang H, Wei CX, Min L, Zhu LY.Good or bad: gut bacteria in human health and diseases.Biotechnology & Biotechnological Equipment.2018;32(5):1075-1080. doi:10.1080/13102818.2018.1481350Strate LL, Liu YL, Aldoori WH, Giovannucci EL.Physical activity decreases diverticular complications.Am J Gastroenterol. 2009;104(5):1221-1230. doi:10.1038%2Fajg.2009.121Kaya B, Aras O, Bat O, Bulut NE, Memisoglu K.Steroid-induced sigmoid diverticular perforation in a patient with temporal arteritis: a rare clinical pathology.Clin Med Insights Pathol. 2012;5:11-14. doi:10.4137/CPath.S7924Wijarnpreecha K, Boonpheng B, Thongprayoon C, Jaruvongvanich V, Ungprasert P.Smoking and risk of colonic diverticulosis: A meta-analysis.J Postgrad Med. 2018;64(1):35-39. doi:10.4103/jpgm.JPGM_319_17Miulesco AM.Colonic diverticulosis. Is there a genetic component? Maedica (Bucur). 2020;15(1):105-110. doi:10.26574/maedica.2020.15.1.105Stutter Health.Can diverticulitis be cured?NHSinform.Diverticular disease and diverticulitis.Edna TH, Jamal Talabani A, Lydersen S, Endreseth BH.Survival after acute colon diverticulitis treated in hospital.Int J Colorectal Dis. 2014;29(11):1361-1367. doi:10.1007/s00384-014-1946-3
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
National Cancer Institute.Gastrointestinal tract.MedlinePlus.Diverticulosis and Diverticulitis.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Definition & facts for diverticular disease.NHS.Diverticular disease and diverticulitis.Familydoctor.org.Diverticular disease.MedlinePlus.Dietary fiber.Piccioni A, Franza L, Brigida M, et al.Gut microbiota and acute diverticulitis: role of probiotics in management of this delicate pathophysiological balance.J Pers Med. 2021;11(4):298. doi:10.3390/jpm11040298National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health.Probiotics: What you need to know.Wang H, Wei CX, Min L, Zhu LY.Good or bad: gut bacteria in human health and diseases.Biotechnology & Biotechnological Equipment.2018;32(5):1075-1080. doi:10.1080/13102818.2018.1481350Strate LL, Liu YL, Aldoori WH, Giovannucci EL.Physical activity decreases diverticular complications.Am J Gastroenterol. 2009;104(5):1221-1230. doi:10.1038%2Fajg.2009.121Kaya B, Aras O, Bat O, Bulut NE, Memisoglu K.Steroid-induced sigmoid diverticular perforation in a patient with temporal arteritis: a rare clinical pathology.Clin Med Insights Pathol. 2012;5:11-14. doi:10.4137/CPath.S7924Wijarnpreecha K, Boonpheng B, Thongprayoon C, Jaruvongvanich V, Ungprasert P.Smoking and risk of colonic diverticulosis: A meta-analysis.J Postgrad Med. 2018;64(1):35-39. doi:10.4103/jpgm.JPGM_319_17Miulesco AM.Colonic diverticulosis. Is there a genetic component? Maedica (Bucur). 2020;15(1):105-110. doi:10.26574/maedica.2020.15.1.105Stutter Health.Can diverticulitis be cured?NHSinform.Diverticular disease and diverticulitis.Edna TH, Jamal Talabani A, Lydersen S, Endreseth BH.Survival after acute colon diverticulitis treated in hospital.Int J Colorectal Dis. 2014;29(11):1361-1367. doi:10.1007/s00384-014-1946-3
National Cancer Institute.Gastrointestinal tract.
MedlinePlus.Diverticulosis and Diverticulitis.
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Definition & facts for diverticular disease.
NHS.Diverticular disease and diverticulitis.
Familydoctor.org.Diverticular disease.
MedlinePlus.Dietary fiber.
Piccioni A, Franza L, Brigida M, et al.Gut microbiota and acute diverticulitis: role of probiotics in management of this delicate pathophysiological balance.J Pers Med. 2021;11(4):298. doi:10.3390/jpm11040298
National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health.Probiotics: What you need to know.
Wang H, Wei CX, Min L, Zhu LY.Good or bad: gut bacteria in human health and diseases.Biotechnology & Biotechnological Equipment.2018;32(5):1075-1080. doi:10.1080/13102818.2018.1481350
Strate LL, Liu YL, Aldoori WH, Giovannucci EL.Physical activity decreases diverticular complications.Am J Gastroenterol. 2009;104(5):1221-1230. doi:10.1038%2Fajg.2009.121
Kaya B, Aras O, Bat O, Bulut NE, Memisoglu K.Steroid-induced sigmoid diverticular perforation in a patient with temporal arteritis: a rare clinical pathology.Clin Med Insights Pathol. 2012;5:11-14. doi:10.4137/CPath.S7924
Wijarnpreecha K, Boonpheng B, Thongprayoon C, Jaruvongvanich V, Ungprasert P.Smoking and risk of colonic diverticulosis: A meta-analysis.J Postgrad Med. 2018;64(1):35-39. doi:10.4103/jpgm.JPGM_319_17
Miulesco AM.Colonic diverticulosis. Is there a genetic component? Maedica (Bucur). 2020;15(1):105-110. doi:10.26574/maedica.2020.15.1.105
Stutter Health.Can diverticulitis be cured?
NHSinform.Diverticular disease and diverticulitis.
Edna TH, Jamal Talabani A, Lydersen S, Endreseth BH.Survival after acute colon diverticulitis treated in hospital.Int J Colorectal Dis. 2014;29(11):1361-1367. doi:10.1007/s00384-014-1946-3
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