Diverticular Disease

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Statistics show that more than half of U.S. residents older than 60 will develop a diverticular disease. This occurs when small pouches form in the colon. These pouches can become inflamed or infected, leading to symptoms that include cramps, bloating, constipation, rectal bleeding, nausea, chills and fever.

Diverticular disease includes:

• Diverticulosis – The development of pouches (called diverticula) in the colon.
• Diverticulitis – Occurs when the pouches in the colon become infected.
• Diverticular bleeding – Occurs when a small blood vessel in a pouch breaks open and bleeds.

What Causes Diverticular Disease?
Experts believe diverticula, or pouches, may develop in the colon when people don’t eat enough fiber. Found in foods such as beans, fruits, vegetables and grains, fiber is hard for the body to break down and helps clean the digestive system and ease bowel movements. Many doctors think that diverticula may become infected when stool or bacteria are caught in these pouches. Risk factors for diverticular disease include obesity, not getting enough exercise, smoking and use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Those aged 50 or older appear to be most at risk.

When to See a Doctor about Diverticular Disease?
Symptoms of diverticular disease can be similar to other digestive conditions, such as stomach ulcers or irritable bowel syndrome. Most people experiencing diverticulitis complain of abdominal pain and soreness, particularly on their left side. Infection of the diverticula can cause fever, nausea, vomiting, chills, cramps and constipation.

When diagnosing your digestive issues a doctor may use the following tests:

• Stool sample
• Digital rectal exam
• Barium enema
• X-ray
• CT scan
• Colonoscopy – an examination of the entire colon with a small camera
• Sigmoidoscopy – a minimally invasive examination of the large intestine, or lower colon