Diverticulitis

Diverticulitis is a diverticular disease where sections of the muscular wall of the colon weaken to form sac-like protrusions.

DIVERTICULOSIS:
A Diverticulum is a protrusion or small pouch from the inner lining of the colon. It is usually small in size varying between a few millimeters to a few centimeters in diameter. Diverticula is the plural form of Diverticulum. Usually, Diverticula are formed in the sigmoid colon.

Diverticulosis is the name of the condition when a person has Diverticula. Diverticulitis refers to the condition when the Diverticula becomes inflamed.

CAUSES OF DIVERTICULOSIS:
Although not proven, Diverticulosis is believed to be caused by a lack of dieting fiber in one’s diet.
The typical American diet is solely lacking in large servings of fruits, whole grains and vegetables.
Diverticulosis is asymptomatic and therefore does not exhibit any particular symptoms until the person develops Diverticulitis.

Dietary fiber provides the bulk in stools which makes it easy for the colon to push it out of the rectum.
Lack of fiber in the diet also causes constipation. A constipated person needs to strain the colonic muscles in order to move the hardened stools.

This creates excess pressure within the colon which causes weak spots in the colon to protrude out causing Diverticula. In addition, straining to pass solid hard stools caused by constipation, further increases intra-colonic pressure. This could also affect the formation of diverticula.