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Help for 1 in 10 people in the U.S. over 40 who may suffer from colonic diverticular disease

	Colonic diverticular disease can be so mild that you hardly notice you have it. Or it can lead to painful cramps in your abdomen. ConsumerReportsHealth.org can help you find treatments for diverticular disease that work well.
	Subscribe to ConsumerReportsHealth.org today and find out if medication or fiber supplements rate best for treating colonic diverticular disease.

Consumer Reports Health explains the best and most up-to-date expert research and evidence about treating colonic diverticular disease. Our clear and sound advice helps you and your doctor choose the best treatment options.

Key points about colonic diverticular disease

• Diverticula are small pouches that bulge out of your gut wall; most occur in your colon.
• You may be more likely to get diverticula if your diet is low in fiber.
• Your chances of getting colonic diverticular disease increase as you get older.
• Colonic diverticular disease may cause painful cramps in the lower part of your abdomen, usually on the left side. You may also experience bloating, a change in your bowels, or blood in your stools.
• If one or more diverticula become inflamed, you may feel more severe and constant pain, vomit or get a fever.

Once you have diverticula they don’t go away, but many doctors think that you can stop more diverticula from forming and stay well by eating more fiber. If the diverticula become inflamed or infected (called diverticulitis) usually your doctor will prescribe antibiotics for you and monitor how you feel while at home, but if you don’t get better you may need treatment in the hospital.

Our concise condition report and treatment ratings table will help you and your doctor decide which treatment for colonic diverticular disease is right for you. As a Consumer Reports Health subscriber, we'll also help you sort through the best research and the most effective treatments for over 100 conditions and illnesses that may affect you and your family.