Diverticulitis

Diverticulitis is a common disease of the bowel, in particular the large intestine. Diverticulitis develops from diverticulosis, which involves the formation of pouches (diverticula) on the outside of the colon. Diverticulitis results if one of these diverticulum becomes inflamed. In complicated diverticulitis, bacteria may subsequently infect the outside of the colon if an inflamed diverticulum bursts open. If the infection spreads to the lining of the abdominal cavity, (peritoneum), this can cause a potentially fatal peritonitis. Sometimes inflamed diverticula can cause narrowing of the bowel, leading to an obstruction. Also, the affected part of the colon could adhere to the bladder or other organ in the pelvic area, causing a fistula, or abnormal communication between the colon and an adjacent organ. Diverticulitis most often affects middle-aged and elderly persons, though it can strike younger patients as well.

Related Topics:
Disease - Bowel - Large intestine - Diverticulosis - Diverticula - Colon - Inflamed - Bacteria - Colon - Infection - Abdominal cavity - Peritoneum - Peritonitis - Obstruction - Bladder - Organ - Pelvic area - Fistula

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