Print Overview Diverticulosis and diverticulitis Enlarge image Close Diverticulosis and diverticulitis Diverticulosis and diverticulitis Diverticulosis occurs when small, bulging pouches (diverticula) develop in your digestive tract. When one or more of these pouches become inflamed or infected, the condition is called diverticulitis. Diverticula are small, bulging pouches that can form in the lining of your digestive system. They are found most often in the lower part of the large intestine (colon). Diverticula are common, especially after age 40, and seldom cause problems. The presence of diverticula is known as diverticulosis (die-vur-tik-yoo-LOE-sis). When one or more of the pouches become inflamed, and in some cases infected, that condition is known as diverticulitis (die-vur-tik-yoo-LIE-tis). Diverticulitis can cause severe abdominal pain, fever, nausea and a marked change in your bowel habits. Mild diverticulitis can be treated with rest, changes in your diet and antibiotics. Severe or recurring diverticulitis may require surgery.Products & ServicesBook: Mayo Clinic on Digestive Health SymptomsThe signs and symptoms of diverticulitis include: Pain, which may be constant and persist for several days. The lower left side of the abdomen is the usual site of the pain. Sometimes, however, the right side of the abdomen is more painful, especially in people of Asian descent. Nausea and vomiting. Fever. Abdominal tenderness. Constipation or, less commonly, diarrhea. When to see a doctorGet medical attention anytime you have constant, unexplained abdominal pain, particularly if you also have a fever and constipation or diarrhea. Request an appointment There is a problem with information submitted for this request. Review/update the information highlighted below and resubmit the form. Get the latest health information from Mayo Clinic delivered to your inbox. 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Thank you for subscribing Your in-depth digestive health guide will be in your inbox shortly. You will also receive emails from Mayo Clinic on the latest health news, research, and care. If you don’t receive our email within 5 minutes, check your SPAM folder, then contact us at newsletters@mayoclinic.com. Sorry something went wrong with your subscription Please, try again in a couple of minutes Retry CausesDiverticula usually develop when naturally weak places in your colon give way under pressure. This causes marble-sized pouches to protrude through the colon wall. Diverticulitis occurs when diverticula tear, resulting in inflammation, and in some cases, infection. Risk factorsSeveral factors may increase your risk of developing diverticulitis: Aging. The incidence of diverticulitis increases with age. Obesity. Being seriously overweight increases your odds of developing diverticulitis. Smoking. People who smoke cigarettes are more likely than nonsmokers to experience diverticulitis. Lack of exercise. Vigorous exercise appears to lower your risk of diverticulitis. Diet high in animal fat and low in fiber. A low-fiber diet in combination with a high intake of animal fat seems to increase risk, although the role of low fiber alone isn't clear. Certain medications. Several drugs are associated with an increased risk of diverticulitis, including steroids, opioids and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others) and naproxen sodium (Aleve). ComplicationsAbout 25% of people with acute diverticulitis develop complications, which may include: An abscess, which occurs when pus collects in the pouch. A blockage in your bowel caused by scarring. An abnormal passageway (fistula) between sections of bowel or the bowel and other organs. Peritonitis, which can occur if the infected or inflamed pouch ruptures, spilling intestinal contents into your abdominal cavity. Peritonitis is a medical emergency and requires immediate care. PreventionTo help prevent diverticulitis: Exercise regularly. Exercise promotes normal bowel function and reduces pressure inside your colon. Try to exercise at least 30 minutes on most days. Eat more fiber. A high-fiber diet decreases the risk of diverticulitis. Fiber-rich foods, such as fresh fruits and vegetables and whole grains, soften waste material and help it pass more quickly through your colon. Eating seeds and nuts isn't associated with developing diverticulitis. Drink plenty of fluids. Fiber works by absorbing water and increasing the soft, bulky waste in your colon. But if you don't drink enough liquid to replace what's absorbed, fiber can be constipating. Avoid smoking. Smoking is associated with an increased risk of diverticulitis. By Mayo Clinic Staff Diverticulitis care at Mayo Clinic Request an appointment Diagnosis & treatment April 19, 2022 Print Share on: FacebookTwitter Show references Pemberton JH, et al. Colonic diverticulosis and diverticular disease: Epidemiology, risk factors, and pathogenesis. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed July 24, 2018. Tursi A, et al. Review article: The pathophysiology and medical management of diverticulosis and diverticular disease of the colon. Alimentary Pharmacology and Therapeutics. 2015;42:664. Pemberton JH, et al. Clinical manifestations and diagnosis of acute diverticulitis in adults. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed July 24, 2018. Thompson AE. Diverticulosis and diverticulitis. JAMA. 2016;316:1124. Dobbins C, et al. The relationship of obesity to the complications of diverticular disease. Colorectal Disease. 2006;8:37. AskMayoExpert. Diverticular treatment. Rochester, Minn.: Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research; 2018. Boostrom SY, et al. Uncomplicated diverticulitis, more complicated than we thought. Journal of Gastrointestinal Surgery. 2012;16:1744. Diverticular disease (information sheet). Gastroenterological Society of Australia. 2018. http://www.gesa.org.au/resources/patients/diverticular-disease/. Accessed June 24, 2018. Brown AY. Allscripts EPSi. Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Sept. 11, 2017. Stollman N, et al. American Gastroenterological Association Institute Guideline on the Management of Acute Diverticulitis. Gastroenterology. 2015;149:1944. Related Diverticulosis and diverticulitis Associated Procedures Colectomy CT scan Products & Services Book: Mayo Clinic on Digestive Health Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, has been recognized as the best Gastroenterology & GI Surgery hospital in the nation for 2022-2023 by U.S. News & World Report. Learn more about this top honor DiverticulitisSymptoms & causesDiagnosis & treatmentDoctors & departmentsCare at Mayo Clinic Advertisement Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. 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There is a problem with information submitted for this request. Review/update the information highlighted below and resubmit the form. Get the latest health information from Mayo Clinic delivered to your inbox. Subscribe for free and receive your in-depth guide to digestive health, plus the latest on health innovations and news. You can unsubscribe at any time. Click here for an email preview. Email address ErrorEmail field is required ErrorInclude a valid email address Subscribe Learn more about Mayo Clinic’s use of data. To provide you with the most relevant and helpful information, and understand which information is beneficial, we may combine your email and website usage information with other information we have about you. If you are a Mayo Clinic patient, this could include protected health information. If we combine this information with your protected health information, we will treat all of that information as protected health information and will only use or disclose that information as set forth in our notice of privacy practices. You may opt-out of email communications at any time by clicking on the unsubscribe link in the e-mail. Thank you for subscribing Your in-depth digestive health guide will be in your inbox shortly. You will also receive emails from Mayo Clinic on the latest health news, research, and care. If you don’t receive our email within 5 minutes, check your SPAM folder, then contact us at newsletters@mayoclinic.com. Sorry something went wrong with your subscription Please, try again in a couple of minutes Retry