Understanding Diverticular Disease of Intestine: Causes, Symptoms, and Management

What is it?

Diverticular disease describes a group of disorders resulting from the condition of having numerous pouches in the intestine. This condition of having pouches in the intestines is called diverticulosis, and by itself, usually causes no symptoms. However, it may lead to complications, such as inflammation of the pouches (called diverticulitis) or bleeding. Diverticular diseases affect mostly the large intestine (the colon) and are most common over the age of 60. The exact cause is not well known; however, genetic and dietary factors are involved.

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Additional names

This group contains additional names:
- Diverticulitis of Colon with Hemorrhage
- Diverticulosis of Colon
- Diverticulosis of large intestine
- Diverticulosis of rectum
- Diverticulosis of sigmoid
- Perforated diverticulum
- Pseudodiverticulum of the rectum
- Diverticulitis of Small Intestine with Hemorrhage
- Diverticulitis of duodenum
- Diverticulitis of ileum
- Diverticulitis of jejunum
- Diverticulosis of Small Intestine with Hemorrhage
- Diverticulosis of duodenum
- Diverticulosis of ileum
- Diverticulosis of jejunum
- Diverticulosis of Colon with Hemorrhage

Signs & symptoms

Diverticular disease may result in intestine bleeding. In this case, the main symptom will be sudden painless rectal bleeding. Diagnosis is made by questioning and investigating the medical history and physical examination to provide additional information and exclude other diseases. Further tests include:
- Abdominal ultrasound, CT, or MRI scans to view the intestine.
- Colonoscopy – a procedure that allows looking at the rectum, large intestine (colon), and small intestine and taking a biopsy, using a special camera inserted through the rectum.
- Blood testing.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis is made by questioning and investigating the medical history and physical examination to provide additional information and exclude other diseases. Further tests include:
- Abdominal ultrasound, CT, or MRI scans to view the intestine.
- Colonoscopy – a procedure that allows looking at the rectum, large intestine (colon), and small intestine and taking a biopsy, using a special camera inserted through the rectum.
- Blood testing.

Treatment

Patients with simple diverticulitis will improve with conservative treatment, including antibiotics, pain killers, and "bowel rest" – avoiding solid foods and consuming clear liquids only for a few days. Complicated diverticulitis may require surgery, depending on the severity of the symptoms and the patient’s condition.

☝️ This is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult with your physician before making any medical decision.

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Source of Information - We analyze big data of more than 23 million patients de-identified medical records from the following sources:

National Institution of Health ∙ World Health Organization ∙ University of Illinois hospital