Introduction
- Inflammation of ≥1 diverticula
- Diverticula: Herniation of the mucosa and submucosa of the colonic wall that may fill with fecal material or undigested food particles
Signs and Symptoms
- Abdominal pain and tenderness which is usually localized, abrupt, steady and may worsen over time
- In Asians, right-sided diverticulitis is more common and is an important differential diagnosis that may be confused with appendicitis
- Left-sided diverticulitis commonly involves the sigmoid colon and presents as left lower quadrant pain and tenderness; more common in Western populations
- Fever
- Anorexia
- Nausea without vomiting
- Altered bowel habits, commonly constipation but may also present with diarrhea or tenesmus
Risk Factors
Predisposing Factors
- A diet that is low in fiber and high in fat and red meat
- Older age
- The disease is rare in individuals <40 years old
- Other factors which may predispose to diverticulitis are colonic motility disorders, colonic wall defects, use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and corticosteroids, genetic predisposition, obesity, smoking