Why do diverticula become inflamed?
It is not known for sure, but it’s believed that sometimes faeces or waste in the colon blocks the neck or opening of one of the sacs and the trapped material allows bacteria to grow in the pouch, which causes the wall of the diverticulum to become inflamed. Sometimes the inflammation is so severe, the blood vessels supplying the pouch constrict and clot (thrombose). An abscess can form or, rarely, a perforation or leak occurs. It was commonly believed that seeds or pips from fruit or vegetables could block the neck of the diverticulum, but there’s no evidence to support this. Most episodes of acute inflammation are mild and settle with antibiotics and a soft or fluids-only diet for a week, with no permanent damage. Does it hurt? More than 80% of patients with diverticular disease have no symptoms and may have been diagnosed during investigations for another problem. For the remaining 20%, symptoms can include acute pain, often on the left side of the lower abdomen, bloating, and a cha
