Diverticulosis: what it is, symptoms, causes and treatment

Diverticulosis is when there are small pockets in the wall of the large intestine, known as diverticula, which can cause symptoms such as abdominal pain, diarrhea or constipation and blood in the stool in some people.

Although its exact cause is not known, it is believed that diverticulosis is caused by changes in intestinal contractions and/or increased pressure inside the intestine, being more common in older people who eat little fiber and a lot of red meat, for example .

If diverticulosis is suspected, it is recommended to consult a gastroenterologist. Treatment is usually done by increasing the amount of fiber in the diet and drinking water to improve bowel function.

Diverticulosis symptoms

The main symptoms of diverticulosis are:

• Abdominal pain;
• Diarrhea or constipation;
• Feeling of swelling in the belly;
• Blood in the stool.

However, in most people diverticulosis does not lead to symptoms, which are more common when the diverticula become inflamed or infected, which is called diverticulitis. When this happens, symptoms such as fever, nausea and vomiting may also appear. Learn more symptoms of diverticulitis.

How to confirm the diagnosis

The diagnosis of diverticulosis is normally made by a gastroenterologist or proctologist taking into account the characteristics of the symptoms and the results of tests, such as colonoscopy or barium enema, which allow visualization of the diverticula in the intestine.

If you want to make an appointment, you can find the gastroenterologist closest to you using the tool below:

Especially in cases where inflamed diverticula are suspected, the doctor usually recommends a CT scan to confirm the diagnosis, due to the risk of complications such as intestinal perforation during colonoscopy.

Possible causes

Diverticulosis is believed to be caused by abnormalities in intestinal contractions to transport feces and/or increased pressure within the colon, causing its wall to stretch in places where it is weakest, which can form small pockets known as diverticula.

Furthermore, diverticulosis is more common in people over 60 years of age with constipation and/or obesity who drink excessive alcohol, smoke and have a diet low in fiber and a lot of red meat.

How the treatment is carried out

Treatment for diverticulosis is mainly done with a diet rich in fiber, which can be found in fruits, vegetables and greens. In addition, the doctor may also recommend dietary supplements with fiber, such as Metamucil, to improve intestinal function.

Furthermore, in case of colic, the use of antispasmodics and analgesics, such as Butylscopolamine and Paracetamol, can alleviate symptoms and should be used according to the doctor’s instructions. Check out the main treatment options for diverticulosis.

However, if there is diverticulitis, it may be necessary to use antibiotics and restrict the diet to rest the intestine. In more serious cases, in which recurrent crises or complications occur, surgery may be indicated and involves removing the part of the intestine where the diverticula are. See more details on the treatment for diverticulitis.