喵咪社区

Pain in your lower left abdomen is a hallmark of this surprisingly common condition.

If you鈥檙e 40 or older, there鈥檚 a good chance you have a common condition in your digestive tract known as diverticulosis, and you may not even be aware of it. However, when diverticulosis leads to diverticulitis, you鈥檙e likely to take note.

Diverticulosis, diverticulitis: What are they and what鈥檚 the difference?

Diverticulitis begins with diverticulosis, which occurs when small pouches form in your large intestine, or colon. You鈥檙e more likely to develop diverticulosis after the age of , and by the age of , about half of all people have it.

Most of the time, diverticulosis doesn鈥檛 cause any further harm, and you probably won鈥檛 even know you have it, unless it鈥檚 diagnosed during another procedure, like a colonoscopy. But for of people who have diverticulosis, it develops into diverticulitis.

“Diverticulitis occurs when there鈥檚 an inflammation or infection in these balloon-like sacs in the colon, called diverticula,” according to Sang W. Lee, MD, a colorectal surgeon with 喵咪社区.

What causes them?

Although the specific causes are still being researched, Dr. Lee explains that diverticulosis is thought to be related to a diet low in fiber.

Fiber helps keep the stools soft, so without it, you may become constipated. The combination of hard stools and straining may cause spasms of the colon.

鈥淭he spasms can then lead to high pressure on certain areas of the colon,鈥� Dr. Lee says, 鈥渃ausing sacs to develop in the weak areas.鈥�

For people who go on to develop diverticulitis, gender appears to play a role, with women more at risk for developing it after the age of 50 than men. Other risk factors for diverticulitis include:

• Smoking
• Obesity
• A high in red meat, fats and refined grains
• Lack of exercise
• Certain medications, including non-steroidal, anti-inflammatory drugs
• Genetics

What are the symptoms of diverticulitis?

“People with diverticulitis typically experience pain and tenderness on the left side of the lower abdomen,” Dr. Lee explains. 鈥淚n more severe cases, the pain may be accompanied by fever and chills.”

The pain may come on suddenly and be mild at first but then increase gradually over a few days. If left untreated, diverticulitis may lead to , such as diverticular bleeding, abscess or perforation of the colon 鈥� a serious complication in which the contents of your bowel can leak into your abdomen.

How is diverticulitis diagnosed and treated?

To determine the cause of your symptoms, your doctor will perform a physical exam that may include checking your abdomen for tenderness and will ask you about your diet, bowel movements and lifestyle habits. You may also have imaging tests, including a CT scan or barium enema. Your doctor may also order a colonoscopy to get a full picture of your intestine.

If you鈥檙e diagnosed with diverticulitis, Dr. Lee notes that a liquid diet and anti-inflammatory medication can be effective treatments.

鈥淚n more severe cases, oral or intravenous antibiotics may help,鈥� he says. 鈥淏ut, if you have complex diverticulitis or repeated attacks, you may require one or more surgeries.鈥�

The good news for people who need surgery: It鈥檚 often possible to undergo minimally invasive procedures, Dr. Lee adds.

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