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Definition
By Mayo Clinic staffDiverticulitis occurs when one or more diverticula in your digestive tract become inflamed or infected. Diverticula are small, bulging pouches that can form anywhere in your digestive system, including your esophagus, stomach and small intestine. However, they're most commonly found in the large intestine.
Diverticula are common, especially after age 40. When you have diverticula, the condition is known as diverticulosis. You may never even know you have these pouches because they seldom cause any problems, such as diverticulitis.
Sometimes, however, diverticulitis occurs, causing severe abdominal pain, fever, nausea and a marked change in your bowel habits. Mild cases of diverticulitis can be treated with rest, changes in your diet and antibiotics. But serious cases of diverticulitis may require surgery.
- Diverticulosis and diverticulitis. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/diverticulosis. Accessed March 30, 2009.
- McQuaid KR, Gastrointestinal disorders. In: McPhee SJ, et al. Current Medical Diagnosis & Treatment 2009. 48th ed. Los Altos, Calif.: Lange Medical Publications; 2009. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=6395. Accessed March 30, 2009.
- Diverticulitis. The Merck Manuals: The Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals. http://www.merck.com/mmpe/print/sec02/ch019/ch019c.html. Accessed March 30, 2009.
- Young-Fadok T, et al. Epidemiology and pathophysiology of colonic diverticular disease. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed March 30, 2009.
- Jacobs DO. Clinical practice: Diverticulitis. New England Journal of Medicine. 2007;357:2057.
- Strate LL, et al. Nut, corn, and popcorn consumption and the incidence of diverticular disease. Journal of the American Medical Association. 2008;300:907.
- Fox JM, et al. Diverticular disease of the colon: Epidemiology. In: Feldman M, et al. Sleisenger & Fordtran's Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease: Pathophysiology, Diagnosis, Management. 8th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2006. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/128818258-3/0/1389/861.html?tocnode=51643533&fromURL=861.html#4-u1.0-B1-4160-0245-6..50119-0_5426. Accessed March 30, 2009.
- Fox JM, et al. Diverticular disease of the colon: Etiology. In: Feldman M, et al. Sleisenger & Fordtran's Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease: Pathophysiology, Diagnosis, Management. 8th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2006. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/128818258-3/0/1389/863.html?tocnode=51643536&fromURL=863.html#4-u1.0-B1-4160-0245-6..50119-0--cesec3_5429. Accessed March 30, 2009.
- Picco MF (expert review). Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, Fla. March 31, 2009.
