diverticulosis
Intestinal wall bulges
Diverticulosis is a condition where small pouches called diverticula form in the walls of the colon.
Common in older adults, it typically causes no symptoms and is often discovered incidentally during colonoscopy.
When these pouches become inflamed or infected, the condition becomes diverticulitis, which causes pain and may require treatment.
Large intestine examination
- sigmoidoscopyLower intestine visual inspection
- endoscopyInternal organ examination
- CT scanTomographic diagnostic imaging
- barium enemaRectal contrast for imaging
gastroenterologist · screening · imaging · asymptomatic · polyps · biopsy · abdominal X-ray
Large intestine section
- intestineDigestive tract organ
- bowelInternal digestive organ
- rectumTerminal intestinal chamber
- sigmoidCurving in two directions
gut · large intestine · digestive tract · pouches · diverticula · mucosa · lumen · colonic
Protective tissue response
- infectionPathogen invasion causing illness
- abscessLocalized pus collection
- perforationHole punched through something
- peritonitisAbdominal lining inflammation
bleeding · fistula · obstruction · stricture · hospitalization · surgery · colectomy · sepsis
Plant-based digestive aid
- whole grainsKernels with bran, germ, endosperm
- legumesEdible pod-bearing plants
- fruitsEdible seed-bearing crops
- vegetablesEdible plants, not fruits
bran · psyllium · oats · barley · flaxseed · prunes · roughage · insoluble fiber
Growing older over time
- elderlyAdvanced in age
- sedentary lifestyleHabitual physical inactivity
- obesityExcess body fat condition
- constipationDifficult, infrequent waste elimination
colonoscopy
Large intestine examination
- sigmoidoscopyLower intestine visual inspection
- endoscopyInternal organ examination
- CT scanTomographic diagnostic imaging
barium enema · gastroenterologist · screening · imaging · asymptomatic · polyps · biopsy · abdominal X-ray
colon
Large intestine section
sigmoid · gut · large intestine · digestive tract · pouches · diverticula · mucosa · lumen · colonic · gastrointestinal
inflammation
Protective tissue response
- infectionPathogen invasion causing illness
- abscessLocalized pus collection
- perforationHole punched through something
peritonitis · bleeding · fistula · obstruction · stricture · hospitalization · surgery · colectomy · sepsis · rectal bleeding
fiber
Plant-based digestive aid
- whole grainsKernels with bran, germ, endosperm
- legumesEdible pod-bearing plants
- fruitsEdible seed-bearing crops
vegetables · bran · psyllium · oats · barley · flaxseed · prunes · roughage · insoluble fiber · soluble fiber
aging
Growing older over time
- elderlyAdvanced in age
- sedentary lifestyleHabitual physical inactivity
- obesityExcess body fat condition
constipation · genetics · smoking · lack of exercise · age-related
constipation
Difficult, infrequent waste elimination
- GI disordersCrohn's disease, gastroenteritis, IBS, GERD, ulcerative colitis
- bowel disordersIBS, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, colitis, colon cancer
- colon disorderscolitis, colon cancer, colon polyps, ulcerative colitis, megacolon
- colorectal disordershemorrhoids, colorectal cancer, colon cancer, rectal cancer, anal cancer