Diverticulitis

The colon or large bowel stores waste products of digestion and reabsorbs salt and water back into the body.

Many people develop out-pouching of the colon. These develop like the weak spots of a tire through which the inner tube herneates. Each little pouch and the colon is called a diverticulum. The condition of having these pouches is called diverticulosis. Most people over the age of 60 have these out-pouchings. When they become inflamed, they are referred to as diverticulitis. This disease is common in nations where there is too much refined food in the diet and too little roughage. The constipation that results leads to chronic straining that pushes and herneates these intestinal sacs outwards. The most common symptoms of diverticulosis are abdominal pain, cramps, bloating and constipation. Diverticulosis can lead to infections, intestinal tears, bleeding and blockages. Treatment consists of bed rest, liquid diet and antibiotic therapy. And in rare cases, surgery is required.