Diverticular disease refers to the bulging pouches that can develop in the gastrointestinal wall when the lining pushes through weak spots in the surrounding muscle. The most common site is the sigmoid colon, but diverticula can develop anywhere along the GI tract. There are two forms: diverticulosis, which are non-inflamed pouches, and diverticulitis, which is inflammation of the pouches. Diverticula are caused by increased pressure within the colon lumen from constipation or low-fiber diets, which can weaken the colon walls. While diverticulosis is often asymptomatic, it may cause left lower abdominal pain relieved by bowel movements or gas, alternating constipation and diarrhea, and difficult def

2. Diverticular disease refer is the bulging pouch like herniations ( diverticula) in the GI wall push the mucosal lining through the surrounding muscle. The most common site for diverticula is the sigmoid colon, but they may develop anywhere, from the proximal end of the pharynx to the anus.

3. Other typical sites are the duodenum near the pancreatic border or the ampulla of vater and the jejunum.

4. Diverticular disease has two clinical forms, DIVERTICULOSIS and DIVERTICULITIS Diverticulosis is the presence of non inflamed diverticula. Diverculitis is the inflammation of the diverticulum.

5. Causes Caused by increased pressure within the lumen of the colon. Increased intra-colonic pressure secondary to constipation may lead to weaknesses in the colon walls giving way to diverticula colonic spasm which increases pressure, which may be due to dehydration or low-fiber diet

6. Signs and symptoms Diverticulosis is usually asymptomatic but may cause the following symptoms: Recurrent left lower abdominal quadrant pain relieved by defacation or passage of flatus. Alternating constipation and diarrhea Difficult defacation

7. Medical management Asymptomatic diverticular disease requires no specific therapy other than diet modification. Mild disease can be treated by adherence to a high fiber diet and prevention of constipation with bran and bulk laxatives.