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Diverticular Disease

Three key terms of diverticular disease:

  • Diverticula: herniations (out pouchings) of mucosa or submucosa thru muscular layer in colon.
  • Diverticulosis: presence of diverticula in colon.
  • Diverticulitis: inflammation of diverticula, caused by pieces of stool trapped in the herniations.

Signs and symptoms of diverticular diseases include:

  • Abdominal tenderness.
  • Bloating.
  • Fever.
  • Nausea.

Risk factors of diverticular disease include anything that can increase pressure within the colon, such as:

  • Low-fiber diet.
  • Straining during bowel movements.
  • Constipation.

Complications of diverticular disease include infection (diagnosed by elevated WBC counts) leading to diverticulitis andperitonitis.

  1. Diverticulitis leads to abscess in bowel wall.
  2. Abscess leads to intestinal obstruction.
  3. Obstruction leads to bowel perforation.
  4. Stool and gastric contents enter peritoneum.

If diagnosed with diverticulosis, the patient should avoid foods such as those with small seeds (e.g. raspberries), coarse grains, popcorn, and similar foods.

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