Many people have small pouches in their colons that bulge outward through weak spots, like an inner tube that pokes through weak places in a tire. Each pouch is called a diverticulum. Pouches (plural) are called diverticula. The condition of having diverticula is called diverticulosis. About 10 percent of Americans over the age of 40 have diverticulosis. The condition becomes more common as people age. About half of all people over the age of 60 have diverticulosis.
Diverticular disease. In: Corman ML, Allison SI, Kuehne JP. Handbook of Colon and Rectal Surgery. Hagerstown, MD: Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins; 2002: 637-653.
Diverticular disease. In: King JE, ed. Mayo Clinic on Digestive Health. Rochester, MN: Mayo Clinic; 2000: 125-132.
Marcello PW. Understanding diverticular disease. Ostomy Quarterly. 2002;39(2):56-57.
source: http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/diverticulosis/index.htm
International Foundation for Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders
P.O. Box 170864
Milwaukee, WI 53217-8076
Phone: 1-888-964-2001 or (414) 964-1799
Fax: (414) 964-7176
Email: iffgd@iffgd.org
Internet: www.iffgd.org
source: http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/diverticulosis/index.htm
