Diverticulitis occurs when small pouches called diverticula in the colon become inflamed or infected. This condition is common in people over 60—especially after 80—and typically causes pain in the lower left abdomen, along with nausea or fever. Most cases respond well to treatment, but recurrent episodes may require surgery to remove the affected colon section.
Diverticulitis refers to inflammation or infection in one or more diverticula—abnormal pouch-like cavities that form on hollow organs like the colon, intestine, esophagus, or stomach.
These pouches resemble small hernias on the organ's outer surface. When located in the colon, particularly the sigmoid section near the rectum, the condition is known as colonic diverticulosis.
Diverticulitis is the inflammatory infection of these colon pouches, often localized to one area. It affects about 25% of people with diverticulosis.
While many experience a single episode that resolves with treatment, 30% face recurrences, and up to 80% of those develop chronic diverticulitis.
Diverticula form due to age-related weakening of the digestive tract or low-fiber diets. Per France's Ministry of Solidarity and Health public health service, diverticulosis is rare before 30, affects 30% of those over 60, and 60% over 80.
It's more prevalent in industrialized nations due to poor habits like low-fiber intake, high sugar consumption, and sedentary lifestyles.
Low soluble fiber, excess sugar, inactivity, and chronic constipation heighten risks. To prevent it, adopt a fiber-rich diet with whole grains, limit sugars, and choose constipation-preventing foods.
Uninflamed diverticula often cause no symptoms, affecting 75% of cases asymptomatically.
Diverticulitis symptoms are distinct: 90% experience lower left abdominal pain similar to appendicitis. Half develop fever; others report bloating, nausea, or vomiting.
Bowel changes like constipation and elevated white blood cell counts are common. Seek medical advice promptly for severe symptoms.
Rare complications include abscesses, perforations, fistulas, colon narrowing, bleeding, or peritonitis.
Mild cases often resolve without medication, using pain relievers or antipyretics as needed.
For vulnerable patients like the elderly, antibiotics for at least a week and a low-residue (fiber-free) diet aid recovery by minimizing digestive waste.
Severe cases may require surgery like Hartmann's procedure or sigmoidectomy to excise the infected sigmoid colon section.
Contrary to old advice, nuts (walnuts, almonds, etc.), popcorn, corn, and wheat do not trigger recurrences, per recent studies.
