Learning About Diverticulitis

Learning About Diverticulitis

Eating an unbalanced diet can have more complications than just looking a bit overweight.  Individuals on low-fiber diets are more prone to constipation, which can cause increased colon pressure during a bowel movement and may lead to weakening of the colon wall and eventually diverticula. Food can back up into the diverticula, or pouches in the colon, and bacteria can begin to thrive there leading to infection.  When these pockets, or diverticula, in the wall of the colon become inflamed or infected, this is specific type of diverticular infection called diverticulitis.  Although most people with diverticula in their colon will never develop diverticulitis, it is more common in people as they grow older and symptoms should not be overlooked as surgery may be necessary for proper treatment. Let’s see how diverticulitis can present itself, and what everyone should look out for.

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What is diverticulitis?

What is diverticulitis?

Diverticulitis is a condition that occurs when the diverticula in the large intestine become inflamed or infected. Diverticula are small pouches that bulge outward in the large intestine, or colon. They develop in the lining of the digestive system. They usually do not cause any significant problems, however in some cases they can cause problems when they become inflamed or infected.

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