What is Diverticulosis and Diverticulitis?
Many people have small pouches in the lining of the colon, or large intestine, that bulge outward through weak spots. Each pouch is called a diverticulum. Multiple pouches are called diverticula. The condition of having diverticula is called diverticulosis. About 10 percent of Americans older than 40 have diverticulosis.
Diverticulitis is a condition that occurs when a person has problems from these small pouches, or sacs, that have formed. Diverticulitis occurs when the diverticular becomes inflamed, or irritated and swollen, and infected.
Diverticula are most common in the lower portion of the large intestine, called the sigmoid colon…