Diverticular Disease | Cedars-Sinai

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What is diverticular disease?

Diverticular disease is a group of conditions in which tiny pouches form in the colon. The pouches are called diverticula.

These pouches bulge out through weak spots in your colon. The pouches can become inflamed (red, swollen) or infected. When the pouches are infected, the condition is called diverticulitis.

Diverticular disease includes:

  • Diverticulosis. This is when you have one or more tiny pouches called diverticula in your colon.
  • Diverticulitis. This is when the pouches in your colon get inflamed with or without infection.
  • Diverticular bleeding. This happens when a small blood vessel in a pouch breaks open and bleeds.

Over half of people in the United States over age 60 will have diverticulosis. Some people with diverticulosis also get diverticulitis.

Diverticular disease is often seen in developed countries. It is very common in the U.S., England, and Australia. People in these countries eat less fiber.

Diverticular disease is rare in countries such as Asia and Africa. People in these countries eat more fiber and more vegetables.

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