Overview

Definition

Your doctor has just told you that you have diverticulitis. But whether you knew it or not, you had another condition first. That condition is called diverticulosis. To understand diverticulitis, it helps to know something about diverticulosis.

Diverticulosis
Diverticulosis is a common condition that you get when pouches, called diverticula, form in the wall of your intestine. These pouches form when increased pressure pushes the wall of the intestine outward at certain weak points. They are usually found in your colon, part of your large intestine.

About half of people over 60 have diverticulosis. But these pouches usually do not cause problems and people rarely even know they have them.

Sometimes, though, the pouches become inflamed or infected. Then it is called diverticulitis. This condition can cause severe belly pain, fever, and diarrhea and constipation.

Mild cases can usually be treated at home with antibiotics and maybe a liquid diet for a few days. Severe cases often call for a hospital stay with IV antibiotics. Surgery may be needed if there are complications.

After you recover, your doctor may recommend a high-fiber diet. This can keep diverticulitis attacks from coming back.

More on Diverticulitis