Diiverticulios Disease

Diverticular Disease

              Diverticular disease affects the colon. It is made up of two conditions: diverticulosis and diverticulitis. Diverticulosis occurs when pouches, called diverticula, form in the colon. These pouches bulge out like weak spots in a tire. Diverticulitis occurs if the pouches become inflamed. Doctors are not sure what causes diverticular disease. Many think a diet low in fiber is the main cause. Fiber stays in the colon and absorbs water, which makes bowel movements easier to pass. Diets low in fiber may cause constipation, which occurs when stools are hard and difficult to pass. Constipation causes your muscles to strain when you pass stool. Straining may cause diverticula to form in the colon. If stool or bacteria get caught in the pouches, diverticulitis can occur.
        Most people with the disease do not have serious problems, but some people have severe symptoms. Diverticulitis can attack suddenly and cause bleeding, serious infections, rips in the pouches, fistula, which is a connection or passage between tissues or organs in the body that normally do not connect, blockage in your digestive system, an infection in which the colon ruptures causing stool to empty from the colon into the abdomen. The symptoms for diverticulosis and diverticulitis are different. With Diverticulosis many people don't have symptoms, but some people have cramping, bloating, and constipation. Some people also have bleeding, inflammation, and fistulas. If you are bleeding, bright red blood will pass through your rectum. Rectal bleeding is usually painless, but it can be dangerous. People with diverticulitis can have many symptoms. Often pain is felt in the lower part of the abdomen. If you have diverticulitis, you may have fevers, feel sick to your stomach, vomit, or have a change in your bowel habits. Many people get diverticular disease. Starting at age 40, the chance of getting it increases about every 10 years. About half of people between the...