Florida Health surgeon, Dr. Michael Latzko explains that diverticulitis is a common digestive disorder, especially among older adults that happens when the diverticula become inflamed. This is less common than diverticulosis but more concerning, cautions UF Health Surgeon Dr. Michael Latzko, because it typically causes symptoms and, in some cases, can lead to serious complications and long-term health consequences.
While diverticulitis was rare before the 20th century, diverticular disease is now one of the most common health problems in the Western world and is the most serious type of diverticular disease.
Diverticula are pouches that occur along your digestive tract, most often in your colon (large intestine) and formations called diverticula are key components of diverticulitis. These pouches form when weak spots in the intestinal wall balloon outward. You have diverticulitis when these pouches become inflamed, or bacteria gather in them and cause an infection.
Diverticulitis often requires treatment because it typically causes symptoms that can lead to serious health complications. However, diverticula themselves can be harmless. If you have diverticula that are not infected or inflamed, you have diverticulosis. This condition typically causes no symptoms and does not need treatment, explains former UF Health Surgeon, Dr. Michael Latzko.
