Diverticular disease and diverticulitis are related digestive conditions that affect the large intestine (colon).
Small bulges develop on the lining of the intestine that become inflamed or infected.
Symptoms of diverticular disease include:
- lower abdominal pain
- feeling bloated
Symptoms of diverticulitis include:
- more severe abdominal pain
- high temperature (fever) of 38ºC (100.4ºF) or above
Read more about the symptoms of diverticular disease and diverticulitis.
Diverticula, diverticular disease and diverticulitis
Diverticula
Diverticula is the medical term used to describe the small bulges that stick out of the side of the large intestine (colon).
Diverticula are common and associated with ageing. It is thought the pressure of hard stools (poo) passing through the large intestine that has become weakened with age causes the bulges to form.
Read more about the causes of diverticula.
It is estimated that half of people have diverticula by the time they are 50 years old, and 70% of people have them by the time they are 80 years old.
The majority of people with diverticula will not have any symptoms; this is known as diverticulosis.
Diverticular disease
One in four people who develop diverticula will experience symptoms such as abdominal pain.
Having symptoms associated with diverticula is known as diverticular disease.
Diverticulitis
Diverticulitis describes infection that occurs when bacteria becomes trapped inside one of the bulges, triggering more severe symptoms.
Diverticulitis can lead to complications such as an abscess inside the intestine.
Read more about complications of diverticulitis.
Treating diverticular disease and diverticulitis
A high-fibre diet can often ease symptoms of diverticular disease and paracetamol can be used to relieve pain – other painkillers such as aspirin or ibuprofen are not recommended as they can cause stomach upsets in people with diverticular disease.
Mild diverticulitis can usually be treated at home with antibiotics. More serious cases may need hospital treatment to prevent complications.
Surgery to remove affected section of the intestine is sometimes recommended if there's a risk of serious complications, although this is rare.
Read more about treating diverticular disease and diverticulitis.
Who is affected
Diverticular disease is one of the most common digestive conditions.
There were around 80,000 hospital admissions due to diverticulitis in England in 2010.
Both sexes are equally affected by diverticular disease and diverticulitis, although the condition is more likely to appear at a younger age (under 50) in men than in women.
Diverticular disease is often described as a ‘western disease’ because the rates are high in western European and North American countries, and low in African and Asian countries. Diet is thought to be the reason for this and the fact that people in western countries tend to eat less fibre.
