{"id":54034,"date":"2022-09-19T09:30:45","date_gmt":"2022-09-19T13:30:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=54034"},"modified":"2023-09-11T11:52:00","modified_gmt":"2023-09-11T15:52:00","slug":"diverticulosis-vs-diverticulitis","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/diverticulosis-vs-diverticulitis\/","title":{"rendered":"Diverticulosis vs. diverticulitis: What\u2019s the difference?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Maybe you\u2019ve got low-grade abdominal pain that doesn\u2019t seem to go away. Or maybe you\u2019re experiencing nausea, bloating, or constipation on a regular basis. If so, you may have a condition called diverticulitis. The common digestive system disorder occurs when small pouches called diverticula form in your colon and become inflamed and infected. The presence of diverticula is called diverticulosis. Here, experts explain the difference between diverticulosis and diverticulitis, plus treatment and prevention strategies.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

What is diverticulitis and diverticulosis?<\/span><\/h2>\n

The condition <\/span>diverticulosis<\/span><\/a> occurs when diverticula are present. These are small, sac-like, bulging pouches that push through weak spots of the colon\/large intestine. Diverticulosis is very common, occurring in about <\/span>half<\/span><\/a> of individuals older than 60; almost everyone will have it by the <\/span>age of 80<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

What causes diverticulosis to develop in the first place? According to <\/span>Jos\u00e9 Morey, MD<\/span><\/a>, a musculoskeletal radiologist at <\/span>Medical Center Radiologists<\/span><\/a> in Norfolk, Virginia, diverticulosis tends to develop as a result of consuming a Western diet, which is low in fiber. Low-fiber diets cause constipation, which increases pressure inside the digestive tract and causes you to strain during bowel movements. Over time, these factors can cause the development of diverticula. \u201c<\/span>Eating less red meat and more fiber can help prevent their development,\u201d Dr. Morey says. There also appears to be a hereditary component to their development.<\/span><\/p>\n

Diverticulosis usually doesn\u2019t cause symptoms, but can cause lower abdominal cramping in some individuals. Diverticulosis is also permanent, says Dr. Morey. That means once you develop diverticula, the pouches won’t go away. In fact, the condition can worsen. When diverticula become inflamed and infected, the condition is called diverticulitis.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe term \u2018itis\u2019 is Latin for inflammation\/infection,\u201d\u00a0 Dr. Morey says.\u00a0 So any time you see it added to the end of something, it means the inflammation of the prefix. For example, hepatitis is inflammation of the liver, and pancreatitis is inflammation of the pancreas. \u201cHence, diverticulitis is inflammation or infection of the diverticula,\u201d he explains.<\/span><\/p>\n

What is the difference between diverticulitis and diverticulosis?<\/span><\/h2>\n

The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases defines diverticulosis as a condition in which small sacs called diverticula push through the wall of the colon. Typically, these sacs form in the sigmoid colon, which is the left lower part of the colon. But Dr. Morey says the diverticula can develop in other locations along the alimentary canal, the internal passageway from the mouth to anus, including the ascending colon and even the small intestine.<\/span><\/p>\n

The presence of diverticula (diverticulosis) usually occurs without any symptoms, says <\/span>Elena Ivanina, DO<\/span><\/a>, a board-certified gastroenterologist and director of neuro-integrative gastroenterology at Lenox Hill Hospital\u2019s <\/span>Northwell Health<\/span><\/a> in New York<\/span>.<\/span> But it is possible to experience lower<\/span> abdominal discomfort and changes in bowel habits like constipation or diarrhea with diverticulosis, \u00a0says Supriya Rao, MD<\/a>, a board-certified gastroenterologist at Integrated Gastroenterology Consultants<\/a> in Chelmsford, MA.<\/span><\/p>\n

Diverticulitis is a more serious condition than diverticulosis. It occurs when diverticula become inflamed and\/or infected. This can happen quickly, causing complications of diverticulitis like \u201csevere abdominal pain that is unrelenting, blood and mucus in the stool, fever, and changes in bowel habits,\u201d Dr. Rao says. The good news? Most of the time, diverticulosis doesn\u2019t turn into diverticulitis\u2014in fact, <\/span>most people<\/span><\/a> won\u2019t experience any symptoms or issues from diverticulosis.<\/span><\/p>\n

What causes diverticulitis and diverticulosis?<\/span><\/h2>\n

In the United States, diverticulosis is very common. <\/span>Research<\/span><\/a> estimates its prevalence at less than 5% in people younger than 40. But by the age of 60, more than 50% of people will develop diverticulosis. About <\/span>25%<\/a> of those with diverticulosis will develop symptomatic diverticulosis, with usual symptoms including left lower abdominal cramping and irregular bowels.<\/span> The rate of diverticulosis increases with age, affecting almost everyone older than 80. In contrast, the rates of diverticul<\/span>itis<\/span><\/i> vary by study, with <\/span>one study<\/span><\/a> finding only 4% of patients with diverticulosis ever developing diverticulitis.<\/span><\/p>\n

It is widely believed that <\/span>too little fiber<\/span><\/a> contributes to the development of diverticulosis. That\u2019s because not eating enough fibrous fruits, vegetables, beans, legumes, nuts, and whole grains can lead to chronic <\/span>constipation<\/span><\/a>, which causes a buildup of pressure in the colon\u2014this may allow diverticula to form.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

More research into the cause of diverticulitis is needed, but one theory is that diverticula may become infected when bacteria from stool gets pushed into the tiny sacs. The good news is that these conditions are <\/span>not linked<\/span><\/a> with an increase in colon cancer in the long term.<\/span><\/p>\n

The <\/span>following factors<\/span><\/a> increase your risk of diverticulosis or diverticulitis<\/span>:<\/span><\/p>\n