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SMALL BULGES IN YOUR INTESTINE LINING
If you're experiencing pain in your lower stomach, you may have diverticular disease — we can help
Diverticular disease is a digestive condition where small bulges (diverticula) form in the lining of your intestine and lead to problems, like stomach pain. The older you get, the weaker your intestine becomes. As a result, harder stools can irritate the lining of your intestine, causing diverticula to form. Diet and genetics may also play a role.
More often than not, these bulges won't cause any problems. If they do, your symptoms might include:
Sometimes, the bulges can become infected and inflamed. This is called diverticulitis. As a result, you may experience constant tummy pain, a high temperature, blood in your poo and vomiting
Divertiular disease can have similar symptoms to other conditions, including irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), coeliac disease and bowel cancer. So it's important to rule these out. Your GP will discuss your symptoms with you to make a diagnosis. They may also carry out tests at a later date, including:
Quite often, the symptoms of diverticulitar disease can be eased by eating more fibre and drinking more fluids. In other cases, your consultant may prescribed laxatives to help with constipation or diarrhoea.
If you've been diagnosed with diverticulitis, your GP or consultant may prescribed antibiotics to get rid of the infection. Surgery is rarely required with divertiular disease.
If it is, your GP or consultant will discuss your options with you. This might include a colostomy (which involves removing the affected part of your large intestine) or a colostomy (which involves diverting one end of your bowel).
This content is intended for general information only and does not replace the need for personal advice from a qualified health professional.