common

Diverticulitis

Diverticulitis, also called colonic diverticulitis, is a disease characterized by of abnormal pouches—diverticula—that can develop in the wall of the large . Symptoms typically include lower pain of sudden onset, but the onset may also occur over a few days. There may also be , or . Fever or blood in the stool suggests a complication. People may experience a single attack, repeated attacks, or ongoing "smoldering" diverticulitis.

Underlined words are explained — tap any of them.

Symptoms — what it feels like

· pain, fever, , , , blood in the stool

Causes — why it happens

·Uncertain

How it's found

·Blood tests, CT scan, colonoscopy, lower series

Prevention

·Mesalazine, rifaximin

Treatment

·, liquid diet, hospital admission

Complications

·, , bowel perforation

More in Intestines

Irritable bowel syndrome Inflammatory bowel disease Colorectal cancer Coeliac disease Typhoid fever Appendicitis Haemorrhoids Intestinal worms Amoebiasis Constipation Ulcerative colitis Crohn's disease

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Plain-language summary adapted from Wikipedia. Not medical advice.