28. Diverticulitis

Diverticulitis is the term used to describe an inflammation or swelling of one or many diverticula, pouches that form when the wall of the large intestine weakens. It is most commonly associated with old age but can also be seen in younger patients, many of whom are below the age of 50.

It is characterized by pain located in the left lower part of the abdomen, nausea, vomiting, fever, abdominal tenderness, constipation and less commonly, diarrhea.

Rarely is it needed to be operated on and antibiotics usually do the trick.