Diverticular Disease

The formation of colonic diverticulum, or small pockets in the bowel wall, is felt to be acquired from many years of consuming a low fiber diet. They occur most often in the left side of the colon in a segment termed the sigmoid colon. Patients whose colons contain these pockets are diagnosed with a condition called diverticulosis. In the United States the presence of diverticulosis is a common condition with its incidence increasing with the age of the individual. Fortunately only a small percentage of people with diverticulosis go on to develop problems related to their diverticulum. The main problems that occur are lower gastrointestinal bleeding and inflammation of the diverticulum, called diverticulitis. Patients with diverticulitis usually experience abdominal pain, fever, diarrhea or constipation.

The treatment of diverticular disease depends on the specific nature of the problem. Patients with diverticulosis are encouraged to follow a high fiber diet to prevent complications of their diverticulum. Patients with lower GI bleeding can be treated conservatively or may require an emergent operation to stop the bleeding. Patients with uncomplicated diverticulitis can usually be initially managed with bowel rest and antibiotics, although patients with two or more episodes are usually advised to undergo an elective bowel resection to avoid further and potentially more complicated episodes. Patients with complicated episodes of diverticulitis, such as intraabdominal abscess formation, fistulae formation or free perforation of the bowel usually undergo surgery, often emergently to treat their problems. Most patients recover completely with resumption of normal bowel habits.

For more information about diverticular disease click here