What is Diverticular Disease?
Diverticulum is the name given to small pouch-like protrusions formed outwardly on the wall of the colon. When there are multiple protrusions, it is called diverticulosis. Although diverticula can occur in any part of the digestive system, they most commonly appear in the colon. This text will focus on diverticula seen in the colon.
Types of Diverticula
Diverticula can be of two types: true diverticulum and false diverticulum.
True diverticulum: Includes all layers of the intestine (mucosa, muscular layer, and outer membrane). It is usually congenital and rarely causes health problems.
False diverticulum: Formed by the protrusion of only the mucosal layer covering the inner surface of the intestine. Its walls are thin and weak. Most diverticula seen in the colon are false diverticula.
How Does Diverticulosis Develop?
The formation of false diverticula is generally related to lifestyle and diet. As a result of a diet low in fiber and fluid intake, stool becomes hard. This situation makes it difficult for the stool to move through the intestine and causes the intestinal muscles to work harder, thus increasing internal pressure. Over time, this increased pressure leads to the formation of small pouches protruding outward from weak points in the intestinal wall. This process usually progresses slowly and does not show any symptoms initially.
Symptoms
In most people, diverticula do not cause symptoms and are detected incidentally. However, in some cases, the following symptoms may occur:
• Moderate, cramp-like abdominal pain
• Abdominal bloating
• Constipation
• Diarrhea
• Rectal bleeding
These symptoms are related to increased pressure inside the intestine and muscle spasms.
TREATMENTS
