Overview

What Is Diverticular Disease?

Diverticulosis is the presence of diverticula, or small pouches, that bulge out through weak spots in your colon. Diverticulitis is an infection or inflammation in one or more diverticula.

Diverticular disease is very common, present in as many as half of all Americans age 60 and older. A small number of those people will develop diverticulitis. Diverticular disease is more common in developed countries where diets are low in fiber.