Why Does Diverticulosis Cause Constipation?
Symptoms Diverticulosis is a condition in which small pouches in the lining of the colon bulge out through weak spots called diverticulum. According to the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse, approximately 10 percent of people over age 40 suffer from diverticulosis. Symptoms include lower abdominal pain, bloating and constipation. The involvement of constipation in relation to this condition may be viewed as both a symptom and contributing factor. Cause Chronic constipation is a contributor to the formation of diverticula because straining to defecate puts pressure on the intestinal walls. The cause of diverticulosis remains uncertain, but a low-fiber diet may be a contributing factor. According to the Medical College of Wisconsin, constipation exerts increased pressure on the colon, which causes weak spots in the colon to bulge and become diverticula. As more strain is put on the colon, the pouches are pushed out through the weak spots causing a steady progression o
