What are the symptoms and problems caused by diverticula?
It is common for no symptoms to develop – called ‘diverticulosis’ In about 3 in 4 people who develop diverticula, the diverticula cause no harm or symptoms. The term ‘diverticulosis’ means that diverticula are present, but do not cause any symptoms or problems. In most cases the condition will not be known about as there are no symptoms, but sometimes diverticula are discovered as an incidental finding if you are having tests such as colonscopy or barium enema for other reasons. Diverticular disease This term is used when diverticula cause intermittent, lower abdominal pain or bloating (but where there is no inflammation or infection – which is discussed later). The pain is usually crampy and tends to come and go. The pain is most commonly in the lower left part of the abdomen. You may get ease from pain and bloating by going to the toilet to pass stools. Some people develop diarrhoea or constipation, and some people pass mucus with their stools. It is not clear how diverticula cause t
