Diverticular disease

Diverticular disease

Diverticular disease is a disease where pouch-like structures, called diverticulum, develop through points of weakness in the wall of your large intestine. Diverticular disease is found equally in male and female population. It is very common and up to 60% of people over the age of 60 have diverticuli in their large intestine. Although, the exact etiology of the disease is unknown, obesity, sedentary lifestyle are risk factors for the disease. On the other hand, diet rich in seeds doesn’t appear to be a risk factor for the disease. It can be asymptomatic if uncomplicated or presented with fever, pain or bleeding from the rectum, (the lower part of the large intestine) when complicated. Treatment consists of antibiotics if an inflammation is present and in rare cases surgery if disease is seriously complicated. Colonoscopy procedure is indicated after an episode of complicated diverticular disease to screen for possible malignancy that may present as complicated diverticular disease.