Diverticular disease

Diverticular disease describes the problems that occur because of diverticulosis, a benign condition defined by the formation of small pouches, called diverticula, from weak spots in the wall of the large intestine. The disease spectrum includes diverticulitis, symptomatic uncomplicated diverticular disease, and segmental colitis associated with diverticulosis. The most common symptoms across the spectrum are abdominal pain and changes in bowel habit such as diarrhea or constipation. Diverticulitis also brings systemic symptoms such as fever and a raised white blood cell count, whereas the other two forms do not. Treatment ranges from conservative bowel rest to medicines such as antibiotics, antispasmodics, acetaminophen and corticosteroids, depending on the specific condition.