Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsCausesSymptomsDiagnosisTreatmentsPrevention
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Causes
Symptoms
Diagnosis
Treatments
Prevention
Diverticulosisis a condition in which small, bulging pouches (diverticula) develop in the lining of the intestines.Diverticulitisoccurs when those pouches become inflamed or infected. Both are known asdiverticular diseases.
This article explains the difference between diverticulosis and diverticulitis. It also discusses how both are diagnosed and treated, as well as how to prevent diverticulosis from becoming diverticulitis.
What Causes Diverticulosis and Diverticulitis?
As people get older, the wall of the colon (large intestine) might weaken in some spots. This is a normal, common occurrence that can cause pockets to form in the colon wall. These pockets bulge outward through the wall of the colon.
A single one of these pockets is called a diverticulum; more than one is called diverticula. The condition of having diverticula is called diverticulosis. Diverticula can occur anywhere in the small or large intestines.
The exact cause of diverticulosis is unclear.
Low-Fiber Diet
The leading theory is a low-fiber diet may lead to the formation of diverticula in this way:
Generally speaking, regular bowel movements (at least once every few days) that are soft and easy to pass are ideal for both your health and the avoidance of diverticular disease complications.
Inflammation and Infection
Diverticulitis is a complication of diverticulosis. It occurs when one or more of the diverticula becomes infected or inflamed.It’s not well understood why this happens. Stool normally contains a certain amount of bacteria. One theory is that the stool, and the bacteria in it, may enter into the diverticula. Once there, the bacteria may lead to an infection.
A second theory is that diverticulitis is an inflammatory condition. Inflammation in the diverticula may lead to the symptoms. A small percentage of patients have what is known assmoldering diverticulitis. Their symptoms don’t respond to treatments and cause ongoing problems.
Risk Factors
Research suggests genes may play a role in the development of diverticular disease. Lifestyle factors that may increase your risk include:
Having diverticulosis is the primary risk factor for developing diverticulitis. Other factors include:
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Diverticulosis vs. Diverticulitis: Symptoms
Diverticulosis is typically asymptomatic. Sometimes, though, people with diverticulosis experience mild and chronic symptoms that include:
Diverticulitis symptoms, on the other hand,can be severe. Symptoms of diverticulitis tend to come on suddenly and include:
Diverticulitis pain is typically acute and severe. However, in some people, the pain is mild at first and worsens over several days.
Diverticulosis that doesn’t cause any symptoms isn’t considered to be serious. However, diverticulitis can have symptoms that range from troublesome to so severe that you require hospitalization.
Why Am I So Tired With Diverticulitis?
Complications
About 12% of people with diverticular disease developcomplications in the intestinal tract. These can include:
Diverticulitis can also cause complications outside the colon includingleukocytosis(a high number of white blood cells) andsepsis(a whole-body reaction to infection).
Luckily, most people with diverticulosis won’t develop diverticulitis or other complications.
When to Seek Emergency TreatmentThe following symptoms can indicate complications of diverticulitis. These requireimmediate medical attention:Extreme pain or discomfortHigh fever (103 F or higher) with or without chillsInability to keep food downSevere diarrheaOther symptoms requiring medical attention include unexplained weight loss and painful swelling in joints or lymph nodes, mental confusion, difficulty breathing, or heart rate changes.
When to Seek Emergency Treatment
The following symptoms can indicate complications of diverticulitis. These requireimmediate medical attention:Extreme pain or discomfortHigh fever (103 F or higher) with or without chillsInability to keep food downSevere diarrheaOther symptoms requiring medical attention include unexplained weight loss and painful swelling in joints or lymph nodes, mental confusion, difficulty breathing, or heart rate changes.
The following symptoms can indicate complications of diverticulitis. These requireimmediate medical attention:
Other symptoms requiring medical attention include unexplained weight loss and painful swelling in joints or lymph nodes, mental confusion, difficulty breathing, or heart rate changes.
How Are Diverticulitis and Diverticulosis Diagnosed?
Since diverticulosis does not usually cause symptoms, it often goes undiagnosed. Sometimes diverticulosis is found during tests for another condition or during a routine colonoscopy.
Diverticulitis is diagnosedbased on symptoms and imaging tests, including:
Your healthcare provider may also take blood work or stool samples to rule out other conditions.
Treating Diverticulosis and Diverticulitis
Diverticulosis is not usually treated because there are no symptoms. If found, your doctor may recommend somechanges to your diet to avoid constipation.
Dietary changes for diverticulosis include:
For diverticulosis with symptoms, your healthcare provider may recommend taking fiber supplements or probiotics. In some cases, prescription medications may be needed.
Diverticulitis Treatments
Uncomplicated diverticulitis is usually treated with a combination of the following:
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Diverticulitis with complications may require hospitalization. Depending on the complication, surgery may be needed to:
Other potential diverticulitis treatments are being investigated:
More research is needed before these treatments are recommended for treating diverticulitis.
Can You Prevent Diverticulitis or Diverticulosis?
Diverticular disease is common. It may or may not be avoidable.
Preventing constipation and straining while having a bowel movement may help prevent diverticulosis and diverticulitis.
General recommendations for avoiding constipation include:
People who live with diverticular disease are usually advised to eat more fiber and drink more water. This helps bowel movements pass more easily. Some may find that certain foods may cause symptoms. This might be discovered through a process of trial and error.
Avoiding Diverticulitis
These same methods are used to prevent diverticulosis from becoming diverticulitis.
People with diverticulosis are also advised to avoid red meat, which research shows increases the risk of diverticulitis.
Do I Have to Avoid Nuts and Seeds?In the past, people with diverticular diseases were told toavoid foodslike nuts, seeds, corn, and popcorn toprevent diverticulitis. However, there is a lack of evidence to support this advice.
Do I Have to Avoid Nuts and Seeds?
In the past, people with diverticular diseases were told toavoid foodslike nuts, seeds, corn, and popcorn toprevent diverticulitis. However, there is a lack of evidence to support this advice.
People with diverticular disease should avoid medications associated with digestive tract bleeding. These include:
Summary
Diverticulosis is a condition of having pouches in the wall of the colon. If these pouches become inflamed, it becomes diverticulitis. Diverticulosis may not have any symptoms, while diverticulitis could cause pain and blood in the stool. The causes of both are unclear.
Treatment often isn’t needed for diverticulosis, although a diet higher in fiber is recommended to prevent constipation. Diverticulitis may require treatment with antibiotics. It can lead to several complications.
13 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.Strate LL, Morris AM.Epidemiology, pathophysiology, and treatment of diverticulitis.Gastroenterology. 2019;156:1282-1298.e1. doi:10.1053/j.gastro.2018.12.033.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Symptoms and causes of diverticular disease.National Library of Medicine.Diverticulitis and diverticulosis - discharge.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Diagnosis of diverticular disease.National Institute of Diabetes, Digestive, and Kidney Diseases.Treatment for diverticular disease.van Dijk ST, Bos K, de Boer MGJ, et al.A systematic review and meta-analysis of outpatient treatment for acute diverticulitis.Int J Colorectal Dis. 2018;33(5):505–12. doi:10.1007/s00384-018-3015-9Schultz JK, Yaqub S, Wallon C, et al; SCANDIV Study Group.Laparoscopic lavage vs primary resection for acute perforated diverticulitis: The SCANDIV randomized clinical trial.JAMA. 2015;314(13):1364–75. doi:10.1001/jama.2015.12076Hanna MH, Kaiser AM.Update on the management of sigmoid diverticulitis.World J Gastroenterol. 2021;27(9):760-781. doi:10.3748/wjg.v27.i9.760Carter F, Alsayb M, Marshall JK, Yuan Y.Mesalamine (5-ASA) for the prevention of recurrent diverticulitis.Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2017;10(10):CD009839. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD009839.pub2Piccioni A, Franza L, Vaccaro V, et al.Microbiota and probiotics: the role ofLimosilactobacillus reuteriin diverticulitis.Medicina(Kaunas). 2021 Aug 5;57(8):802. doi:10.3390/medicina57080802Moniuszko A, Rydzewska G.The effect of cyclic rifaximin therapy on symptoms of diverticular disease from the perspective of the gastroenterology outpatient clinic: a “real-life” study.Prz Gastroenterol. 2017;12(2):145-151. doi:10.5114/pg.2017.68167Stollman N, Smalley W, Hirano I.AGA institute clinical guidelines committee. American Gastroenterological Association institute guideline on the management of acute diverticulitis.Gastroenterology. 2015;149:1944-1949. doi:10.1053/j.gastro.2015.10.003.Carabotti M, Falangone F, Cuomo R, Annibale B.Role of dietary habits in the prevention of diverticular disease complications: A systematic review.Nutrients. 2021;13:1288. doi:10.3390/nu13041288.
13 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.Strate LL, Morris AM.Epidemiology, pathophysiology, and treatment of diverticulitis.Gastroenterology. 2019;156:1282-1298.e1. doi:10.1053/j.gastro.2018.12.033.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Symptoms and causes of diverticular disease.National Library of Medicine.Diverticulitis and diverticulosis - discharge.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Diagnosis of diverticular disease.National Institute of Diabetes, Digestive, and Kidney Diseases.Treatment for diverticular disease.van Dijk ST, Bos K, de Boer MGJ, et al.A systematic review and meta-analysis of outpatient treatment for acute diverticulitis.Int J Colorectal Dis. 2018;33(5):505–12. doi:10.1007/s00384-018-3015-9Schultz JK, Yaqub S, Wallon C, et al; SCANDIV Study Group.Laparoscopic lavage vs primary resection for acute perforated diverticulitis: The SCANDIV randomized clinical trial.JAMA. 2015;314(13):1364–75. doi:10.1001/jama.2015.12076Hanna MH, Kaiser AM.Update on the management of sigmoid diverticulitis.World J Gastroenterol. 2021;27(9):760-781. doi:10.3748/wjg.v27.i9.760Carter F, Alsayb M, Marshall JK, Yuan Y.Mesalamine (5-ASA) for the prevention of recurrent diverticulitis.Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2017;10(10):CD009839. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD009839.pub2Piccioni A, Franza L, Vaccaro V, et al.Microbiota and probiotics: the role ofLimosilactobacillus reuteriin diverticulitis.Medicina(Kaunas). 2021 Aug 5;57(8):802. doi:10.3390/medicina57080802Moniuszko A, Rydzewska G.The effect of cyclic rifaximin therapy on symptoms of diverticular disease from the perspective of the gastroenterology outpatient clinic: a “real-life” study.Prz Gastroenterol. 2017;12(2):145-151. doi:10.5114/pg.2017.68167Stollman N, Smalley W, Hirano I.AGA institute clinical guidelines committee. American Gastroenterological Association institute guideline on the management of acute diverticulitis.Gastroenterology. 2015;149:1944-1949. doi:10.1053/j.gastro.2015.10.003.Carabotti M, Falangone F, Cuomo R, Annibale B.Role of dietary habits in the prevention of diverticular disease complications: A systematic review.Nutrients. 2021;13:1288. doi:10.3390/nu13041288.
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.
Strate LL, Morris AM.Epidemiology, pathophysiology, and treatment of diverticulitis.Gastroenterology. 2019;156:1282-1298.e1. doi:10.1053/j.gastro.2018.12.033.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Symptoms and causes of diverticular disease.National Library of Medicine.Diverticulitis and diverticulosis - discharge.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Diagnosis of diverticular disease.National Institute of Diabetes, Digestive, and Kidney Diseases.Treatment for diverticular disease.van Dijk ST, Bos K, de Boer MGJ, et al.A systematic review and meta-analysis of outpatient treatment for acute diverticulitis.Int J Colorectal Dis. 2018;33(5):505–12. doi:10.1007/s00384-018-3015-9Schultz JK, Yaqub S, Wallon C, et al; SCANDIV Study Group.Laparoscopic lavage vs primary resection for acute perforated diverticulitis: The SCANDIV randomized clinical trial.JAMA. 2015;314(13):1364–75. doi:10.1001/jama.2015.12076Hanna MH, Kaiser AM.Update on the management of sigmoid diverticulitis.World J Gastroenterol. 2021;27(9):760-781. doi:10.3748/wjg.v27.i9.760Carter F, Alsayb M, Marshall JK, Yuan Y.Mesalamine (5-ASA) for the prevention of recurrent diverticulitis.Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2017;10(10):CD009839. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD009839.pub2Piccioni A, Franza L, Vaccaro V, et al.Microbiota and probiotics: the role ofLimosilactobacillus reuteriin diverticulitis.Medicina(Kaunas). 2021 Aug 5;57(8):802. doi:10.3390/medicina57080802Moniuszko A, Rydzewska G.The effect of cyclic rifaximin therapy on symptoms of diverticular disease from the perspective of the gastroenterology outpatient clinic: a “real-life” study.Prz Gastroenterol. 2017;12(2):145-151. doi:10.5114/pg.2017.68167Stollman N, Smalley W, Hirano I.AGA institute clinical guidelines committee. American Gastroenterological Association institute guideline on the management of acute diverticulitis.Gastroenterology. 2015;149:1944-1949. doi:10.1053/j.gastro.2015.10.003.Carabotti M, Falangone F, Cuomo R, Annibale B.Role of dietary habits in the prevention of diverticular disease complications: A systematic review.Nutrients. 2021;13:1288. doi:10.3390/nu13041288.
Strate LL, Morris AM.Epidemiology, pathophysiology, and treatment of diverticulitis.Gastroenterology. 2019;156:1282-1298.e1. doi:10.1053/j.gastro.2018.12.033.
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Symptoms and causes of diverticular disease.
National Library of Medicine.Diverticulitis and diverticulosis - discharge.
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Diagnosis of diverticular disease.
National Institute of Diabetes, Digestive, and Kidney Diseases.Treatment for diverticular disease.
van Dijk ST, Bos K, de Boer MGJ, et al.A systematic review and meta-analysis of outpatient treatment for acute diverticulitis.Int J Colorectal Dis. 2018;33(5):505–12. doi:10.1007/s00384-018-3015-9
Schultz JK, Yaqub S, Wallon C, et al; SCANDIV Study Group.Laparoscopic lavage vs primary resection for acute perforated diverticulitis: The SCANDIV randomized clinical trial.JAMA. 2015;314(13):1364–75. doi:10.1001/jama.2015.12076
Hanna MH, Kaiser AM.Update on the management of sigmoid diverticulitis.World J Gastroenterol. 2021;27(9):760-781. doi:10.3748/wjg.v27.i9.760
Carter F, Alsayb M, Marshall JK, Yuan Y.Mesalamine (5-ASA) for the prevention of recurrent diverticulitis.Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2017;10(10):CD009839. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD009839.pub2
Piccioni A, Franza L, Vaccaro V, et al.Microbiota and probiotics: the role ofLimosilactobacillus reuteriin diverticulitis.Medicina(Kaunas). 2021 Aug 5;57(8):802. doi:10.3390/medicina57080802
Moniuszko A, Rydzewska G.The effect of cyclic rifaximin therapy on symptoms of diverticular disease from the perspective of the gastroenterology outpatient clinic: a “real-life” study.Prz Gastroenterol. 2017;12(2):145-151. doi:10.5114/pg.2017.68167
Stollman N, Smalley W, Hirano I.AGA institute clinical guidelines committee. American Gastroenterological Association institute guideline on the management of acute diverticulitis.Gastroenterology. 2015;149:1944-1949. doi:10.1053/j.gastro.2015.10.003.
Carabotti M, Falangone F, Cuomo R, Annibale B.Role of dietary habits in the prevention of diverticular disease complications: A systematic review.Nutrients. 2021;13:1288. doi:10.3390/nu13041288.
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