What is diverticulitis?
Q: What is diverticulitis?
A: Diverticulitis is a disease that affects the digestive system, caused by inflammation of pouches known as diverticula located in the walls of the bowel.
Q: Where does diverticulitis usually occur?
A: Diverticulitis usually occurs in the large intestine, though diverticula can be found in the upper digestive tract level of the esophagus, stomach and small intestine.
Q: What causes diverticulitis?
A: Diverticulitis is caused by the inflammation of diverticula, which are small pouches that form in the walls of the bowel.
Q: What are the symptoms of diverticulitis?
A: The symptoms of diverticulitis include abdominal pain, fever, nausea, constipation, and diarrhea, and sometimes rectal bleeding.
Q: What makes diverticulitis more likely to occur?
A: A diet low in fiber, age, obesity, and lack of physical activity are factors that make diverticulitis more likely to occur.
Q: How is diverticulitis diagnosed?
A: A diagnosis of diverticulitis is usually made by physical examination and medical history, and sometimes with the use of CT scans, ultrasound, or blood tests.
Q: What are the treatment options for diverticulitis?
A: Treatment for diverticulitis can include antibiotics, a liquid or low-fiber diet to rest the colon, and even surgery in severe cases. Prevention can involve maintaining a healthy diet high in fiber, regular exercise, quitting smoking, and managing weight.
