You’re probably not thinking about what’s going on in your colon right now — until something goes wrong. Diverticulitis, a common but misunderstood condition, can cause sudden pain and disrupt your life.
But what is it and how can you tell if it’s affecting you?
To answer these questions, we connected with Andrea Marcus, MD, a colon and rectal surgeon with Hartford HealthCare Digestive Health Institute. Here’s what you need to know.
What is diverticulitis?
Diverticulitis happens when small pouches in your colon, called diverticuli, get inflamed.
“Just having these pouches doesn’t automatically mean there’s a problem,” explains Dr. Marcus. “When they’re not infected or inflamed, it’s called diverticulosis. It’s very common and usually doesn’t cause symptoms.”
The trouble starts when stool particles get trapped in these pouches.
“It’s the perfect environment for bacteria to grow,” says Dr. Marcus. “When that happens, it can lead to inflammation and infection, which we call diverticulitis. The ‘-itis’ means inflammation—so, inflammation of the diverticuli.”
Most cases of diverticulitis occur in the sigmoid colon, the last portion of the colon before it becomes the rectum.
> Related: 6 Signs It’s Time to See a Doctor For Your Stomach Issues
5 risk factors for diverticulitis
Anyone can develop diverticuli (and potentially diverticulitis), but certain factors can make it more likely.
Dr. Marcus highlights the main risks:
- Older age.
- Eating a low-fiber diet.
- Being overweight or obese.
- Smoking.
- Having a family history.
“Once diverticulitis form, there’s no way to reverse them,” Dr. Marcus explains. “But the good news is, you can prevent more from developing and lower your risk of diverticulitis.”
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4 ways to protect your colon from diverticulitis
If you’re at risk of diverticulitis, try these four simple ways to protect your colon:
- Eat more fiber-rich foods like fruits, veggies and whole grains.
- Consider fiber supplements to prevent constipation.
- Lose excess weight with guidance from your doctor.
- Stick to healthy habits like regular exercise and quitting smoking.
And if you’ve been told to steer clear of seeds or nuts to avoid diverticulitis, think again.
“Many people still think eating seeds and nuts could trigger diverticulitis by getting stuck in the pouches,” she says. “But newer research shows that’s not true — so feel free to enjoy them as part of a healthy diet.”
> Related: 4 Ways to Screen for Colon Cancer Without a Colonoscopy
When to see a doctor for diverticulitis
The answer depends on whether you’re experiencing symptoms that need immediate care or dealing with ongoing issues.
If you have these symptoms, it’s important to see a doctor right away:
- Abdominal pain, most often on the left side or in the pelvis.
- Fever or chills.
- Constipation.
- Nausea or vomiting.
“The treatment for diverticulitis can range from simple bowel rest and antibiotics to surgery depending on how severe it is and how many attacks you’ve had,” explains Dr. Marcus.
What about ongoing low-grade attacks?
“If this condition is affecting your quality of life, please see a colorectal surgeon,” says Dr. Marcus. “We can do a full evaluation, talk about whether elective surgery might help and discuss healthy lifestyle habits to help you feel better.”
