Diverticular disease occurs when small pouches form in the colon. There are several types of diverticular disease:

- Diverticulitis: The pouches become red and swollen (inflamed) or infected
- Diverticulosis: There are one or more pouches in your colon
- Diverticular bleeding: A blood vessel in a pouch opens and starts to bleed

Diverticulosis is common, especially in people over 60 years old.

## Symptoms

Symptoms of diverticular disease include:

- Cramps
- Stomach pain, especially on the left side of your lower belly
- Bloating
- Constipation
- Fever, nausea, chills, and vomiting, if you have an infection
- Bleeding from the rectum

## Treatments

Treatment for diverticular disease depends on how severe your condition is, your symptoms, age, and overall health. They may include:

- Adding fiber to your diet
- Pain medications
- Antibiotics
- A short-term clear liquid diet
- A tube to drain pus if you have a severe infection

## Risk Factors

Doctors aren't sure exactly what causes diverticular disease. However, things that may raise your risk include:

- Eating a low-fiber diet
- Being over the age of 60
- Eating a lot of red meat
- Not exercising
- Obesity
- Immune issues
- Certain medications



 

 ## Departments and Programs Who Treat This Condition

  department###  [Colon and Rectal Surgery](/departments/colon-and-rectal-surgery) 

 BMC’s colorectal surgeons offer cutting-edge surgical treatments for conditions that affect the colon, rectum, and anus, in coordinating with other specialists.