Points To Remember About Diverticular Disease
1.Diverticulosis occurs when small pouches, called diverticula, bulge outward through weak spots in the colon (large intestine).2.The pouches form when pressure inside the colon builds, usually because of constipation.
3.The main cause of diverticulosis is a low-fiber diet because it increases constipation and pressure inside the colon.
4.Most people with diverticulosis never have any discomfort or symptoms.
5.Diverticulitis occurs when the pouches get infected or inflamed and cause pain and tenderness around the left side of the lower abdomen.
6.For most people with diverticulosis, eating a high-fiber diet is the only treatment needed.
7.You can increase your fiber intake by eating these foods: whole grain breads, cereals, and other products; fruit such as berries, apples, and peaches; and vegetables such as broccoli, cabbage, spinach, carrots, asparagus, and squash; and beans.
Overview | Causes | Symptoms | Complications | Diagnosis | Treatment | Surgery | Tips
Reproduced from the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse (NDDIC).
