What is diverticulosis? Diverticulosis is a condition that
develops when pouches (diverticula) form in the wall of the
colon (large intestine). These pouches are usually very small (5
to 10 millimeters) in diameter but can be larger. In
diverticulosis, the pouches in the colon wall do not cause
symptoms. Diverticulosis may not be discovered unless symptoms
occur, such as in painful diverticular disease or in
diverticulitis. As many as 80 out of 100 people who have
diverticulosis never get diverticulitis.1 In many cases,
diverticulosis is discovered only when tests are done to find
the cause of a different medical problem or during a screening
exam. What causes diverticulosis? The reason pouches
(diverticula) form in the colon wall is not completely
understood. Doctors think diverticula form when high pressure
inside the colon pushes against weak spots in the colon wall.
Normally, a diet with adequate fiber (also called roughage)
produces stool that is bulky and can move easily through the
colon. If a diet is