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Diverticulitis

Diverticulitis is inflammation or infection of small pouches, called diverticula, which develop along the walls of your intestines. The formation of the pouches themselves is a relatively benign condition known as diverticulitis. The pouches can develop anywhere on the digestive tract, but they most commonly form at the end of the descending and sigmoid colons, and they also frequently occur on the first section of the small intestine, although problems are rarely found there.

Ageing and heredity are primary factors in the development of diverticulitis, but diet also plays a role; eating a lot of low-fibre, refined foods can greatly increase the risk.

According to the British Journal of Clinical Practice, "A high fibre diet is effective in the treatment of diverticulitis disease." Research shows that fibre is important regarding the prevention and treatment of diverticulitis.

Sometimes, even when you have diverticulitis, you may not even know it because the diverticula are usually painless and cause few symptoms. Sometimes there are no symptoms. Sometimes you may experience cramping on your left side that disappears when you pass gas or move your bowels. And, because diverticula will occasionally bleed, your stool may contain bright red blood.

You should consult your doctor if: you have fever, chills, and abdominal swelling, or are vomiting; abdomen becomes rigid and movement causing pain; or blood appears in stools, indicating internal bleeding.