Find specialized care for diverticular disease at Peak Gastroenterology Associates, where we blend advanced treatments with personalized, compassionate care.
Diverticular Disease refers to the presence of diverticula. These small, bulging pouches can form in the lining of the digestive system, usually in the lower part of the large intestine (colon). The condition primarily includes two phases:
While the exact cause of diverticula formation is not entirely understood, several factors may contribute to their development:
Treatment depends on the severity of the symptoms and whether the condition is diverticulosis or diverticulitis:
Diverticulosis often causes no symptoms, but diverticulitis can be more serious, with symptoms including:
Diverticular disease describes various conditions that cause tiny sacs, or diverticula, to form in the wall of your large intestine (colon), most commonly in the part of the large intestine closest to your rectum. The sacs form from pressure on the colon wall, forcing it to bulge and develop the sacs.
While not clearly understood, your risk for developing diverticular disease increases if you follow a diet that’s high in red meat and low in fiber. The condition also becomes more common as you age.
If you have diverticulitis, or if you have diverticulosis that progresses, you can experience a variety of symptoms. However, it’s common not to experience symptoms until the disease progresses. The formation of an abscess, a pus-filled pocket, is typical with diverticulitis. This pocket can become infected and may spread throughout your abdomen, causing a life-threatening condition. Other symptoms of diverticular disease include rectal bleeding or the formation of a stricture or fistula.
A stricture is colon narrowing that slows or prevents waste from traveling through the large intestine, making it difficult to pass stool.
A fistula is a tract or tunnel that forms and connects one organ to another or the skin. Fistulas often connect the colon to the bowel, vagina, or skin.
Since diverticular disease doesn’t always cause symptoms, your Peak Gastroenterology Associates provider may discover the condition during a routine colonoscopy or colon cancer screening.
When you experience rectal bleeding or other symptoms associated with diverticular disease, your Peak Gastroenterology Associates GI specialist will review your medical history and may recommend an abdominal CT scan of the abdomen and a colonoscopy.
If you have symptoms of diverticular disease, your Peak Gastroenterology Associates provider may prescribe antibiotics to treat an existing abscess or to prevent an infection. In some cases, they may need to drain the abscess of fluids using X-ray guidance to place the drain.
If you have a rupture in your colon that causes peritonitis, you need emergency surgery. You may also require surgery if you have an abscess that can’t be drained or if you don’t respond to antibiotic therapy.
Your Peak Gastroenterology Associates provider may also recommend surgery if you have a stricture or fistula with complications. To learn more about treatments available for diverticular disease, schedule an online consultation or call the Peak Gastroenterology Associates clinic nearest you. Our GI specialists and caring support team offer unparalleled, patient-focused care in treating diverticular disease in Denver, Colorado Springs, Lone Tree, and beyond.
