This article discusses the signs and symptoms of both diverticulosis and diverticulitis. We also outline some potential triggers of diverticulitis, and the treatment options available.
A person may not realize they have diverticulosis until they develop diverticulitis. The symptoms of both conditions are outlined below. According to the NIDDK , the most common symptom of diverticulitis is pain in the lower left abdomen. The pain typically comes on suddenly, but could also develop slowly over the course of several days. Doctors once thought that certain foods, such as popcorn, nuts, and seeds, could trigger diverticulitis.
They, therefore, recommended avoiding these foods. However, experts now believe that restrictive diets are not necessary for people with diverticulosis or diverticulitis. Scientists are not certain what causes diverticulitis or diverticulosis. However, they do believe that genetics and dietary factors are likely to play a role in the development of these conditions.
A review investigated the potential link between genetics and the development of diverticulosis and diverticulitis. Although the review found evidence in support of a genetic cause, the exact gene responsible remains unknown.
In contrast, an older study found that a diet high in dietary fiber does not help prevent diverticulosis. A doctor will likely also order a blood test and CT scan to look for signs of diverticulitis.
Diverticular disease usually affects adults. In rare cases, babies are born with diverticula. In other cases, it can cause symptoms such as :. If you suspect your child might have diverticulitis, make an appointment with their doctor. More research is needed to learn what causes diverticular disease, including diverticulitis. Currently, experts believe multiple factors play a part.
Some potential risk factors may be modified through lifestyle changes. For example, it might help to:. One of the main risk factors for diverticulitis is age. Older people are more likely than younger people to develop diverticulitis. It commonly occurs in men under 50 and women ages 50 to People who develop diverticula at a younger age may be more likely to experience diverticulitis.
Younger people are also more likely to be admitted to a hospital if they have diverticulitis than older people.
According to a review of research published in , other potential risk factors for diverticulitis include:. Studies have found that genetics play a role in diverticular disease, with some reports estimating that roughly 40 to 50 percent of the potential risk of diverticular disease is hereditary. Some studies suggest that people with higher levels of vitamin D might have a lower risk of getting diverticulitis.
More research is needed to understand the potential link between vitamin D and diverticula. Several studies have found that people with higher body mass index BMI and larger waists are at increased risk of diverticulitis. Some studies have found that physically active people are less likely than inactive people to develop diverticulitis. However, this link still needs more research.
People who smoke are also more likely than nonsmokers to develop diverticular disease, including diverticulitis. If you drink alcohol, your doctor will likely encourage you to drink in moderation only. Although alcohol consumption might not cause diverticulitis, drinking too much can raise your risk of many other health problems.
In some cases, diverticulosis can cause symptoms such as pain in the abdomen and bloating. Diverticula can also develop in your bladder. Sometimes bladder diverticula are present at birth. In other cases, they develop later in life. To treat bladder diverticulitis, your doctor might prescribe antibiotics and pain medications. They might also recommend surgery to repair the diverticula. In severe cases, you might develop a fistula between your colon and bladder.
This is known as a colovesical fistula. Find out what this condition involves. Diverticula can potentially form in your esophagus, too. This occurs when pouches develop in your esophageal lining. Favorite Site for Online Support Diverticulitis Support Group Diverticulitis can be overwhelming and frustrating, so there's comfort in knowing you're not alone with this illness.
Favorite App for Tracking Diverticulitis Foodility If you have recurrent diverticulitis flares, monitoring what you eat can help pinpoint certain patterns. Editorial Sources and Fact-Checking. Marinella MA, Mustafa M. The American Journal of Emergency Medicine. March Definition and Facts for Diverticular Disease. May Symptoms and Causes of Diverticular Disease.
Diverticular Disease Expanded Version. American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons. Diverticulitis: Symptoms and Causes. May 7, Harvard Health Publishing. December Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. May 14, October 9, Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology. April 18, Salzman H, Lillie D. Diverticular Disease: Diagnosis and Treatment.
American Family Physician. October Diverticulitis: Diagnosis and Treatment. Diverticulitis Diet. October 11, Management of Diverticular Hemorrhage. Clinics in Colon and Rectal Surgery. August Elisei W, Tursi A. Annals of Gastroenterology. January-March Diverticular Disease.
Penn State Hershey. March 25, Understanding Diverticulosis and Diverticulitis. Robbins SE. July Journal of the American Medical Association. August 27, Diverticular Disease of the Colon.
December 20, Peery AF. Colonic Diverticula and Diverticular Disease. North Carolina Medical Journal. May-June Imaeda H, Hibi T. Inflammatory Intestinal Diseases. You can unsubscribe at any time. Error Email field is required.
Error Include a valid email address. To provide you with the most relevant and helpful information, and understand which information is beneficial, we may combine your email and website usage information with other information we have about you.
If you are a Mayo Clinic patient, this could include protected health information. If we combine this information with your protected health information, we will treat all of that information as protected health information and will only use or disclose that information as set forth in our notice of privacy practices.
You may opt-out of email communications at any time by clicking on the unsubscribe link in the e-mail. Your in-depth digestive health guide will be in your inbox shortly. You will also receive emails from Mayo Clinic on the latest health news, research, and care. Diverticula usually develop when naturally weak places in your colon give way under pressure. This causes marble-sized pouches to protrude through the colon wall. Diverticulitis occurs when diverticula tear, resulting in inflammation, and in some cases, infection.
Diverticulitis care at Mayo Clinic. Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products.
0コメント