Diverticulitis

Diverticulitis, disease of the intestine involving inflamation of diverticula, pouches or sacs that sometimes appear in the surface of the colon, causing it to bulge out in weak points. The appearance of these abnormal diverticula is called diverticulosis, which affects 5 to 10% of people over 40. About one-fifth of the people with diverticulosis will also get diverticulitis. Symptoms include fever, spasms, and cramplike pain in the lower left part of the abdomen. Treatment may range from bed rest to drug therapy to combat infection.

See also: Intestine.