Diverticulosis means that small pouches, called diverticula, have developed in the wall of the colon. They form where the inner lining bulges outward through weaker areas of the muscle layer, most often in the lower left portion of the colon. The pouches themselves are not cancerous.
Diverticulosis becomes more common with age, and many adults only learn they have it when a colonoscopy or scan done for another reason happens to show the pouches.
Common symptoms
Most people with diverticulosis never notice it. Some have occasional mild cramping, bloating, or irregular bowel habits.
Trouble starts when a pouch becomes inflamed or infected, a condition called diverticulitis. That usually causes steady abdominal pain — often in the lower left side — sometimes with fever, nausea, or a change in bowel habits. A pouch can also bleed on occasion, producing red or maroon blood in the stool, typically without pain.
How it is diagnosed
Diverticulosis itself is usually discovered during a screening colonoscopy or on imaging done for another purpose. When diverticulitis is suspected, a CT scan of the abdomen is the usual test, because it shows inflammation around the pouches, and blood tests help gauge the severity. After an episode of diverticulitis has fully settled, your gastroenterologist may recommend a colonoscopy to examine the colon.
Treatment and management
Diverticulosis without symptoms needs no treatment. A fiber-rich diet with plenty of fluids supports soft, regular bowel movements and may lower the chance of complications, and staying active and keeping a healthy weight help as well. Despite a long-standing belief, most people with diverticulosis do not need to avoid nuts, seeds, or popcorn.
Diverticulitis is treated according to its severity. A milder episode may be managed at home with rest, a temporary adjustment in diet, and close follow-up, while a more severe episode can call for antibiotics or hospital care. Your care team will tailor the plan to your situation.
When to talk to a gastroenterologist
Seek care promptly if you develop steady abdominal pain with fever, or any bleeding from the rectum. If you have had diverticulitis before, a gastroenterologist can help you plan sensible follow-up and lower the chance of another episode.
Take-home information sheet
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Questions about your care?
This page is general education, not personal medical advice. Your care team is happy to talk through what it means for you.