US Medical Term · conditions
Diverticulosis
Diverticulosis
In 9 languages
| Language | Term |
|---|---|
| English | Diverticulosis |
| Spanish (Español) | Diverticulosis |
| Chinese (中文) | 憩室病 |
| Korean (한국어) | 게실증 |
| Vietnamese (Tiếng Việt) | Bệnh túi thừa |
| Filipino (Tagalog) | Diverticulosis |
| Portuguese (Português) | Diverticulose |
| Thai (ภาษาไทย) | ถุงจิ๋วในลำไส้ |
| Japanese (日本語) | 憩室症 |
What it means
Diverticulosis is a condition in which small pouches (diverticula) form in the walls of the colon, usually in the lower left section. It is extremely common, affecting about half of all people over age 60 in the US. Most people with diverticulosis have no symptoms and the condition is often found incidentally during colonoscopy. A low-fiber diet is thought to contribute to its development. When the pouches become inflamed or infected, the condition is called diverticulitis, which can cause significant abdominal pain, fever, and changes in bowel habits. Treatment of diverticulosis focuses on a high-fiber diet.
How to say it
Sentences a patient might use with a doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or insurer:
My colonoscopy found diverticulosis — what does this mean for my long-term health?
Mi colonoscopia encontró diverticulosis. ¿Qué significa esto para mi salud a largo plazo?
What dietary changes should I make to prevent diverticulosis from becoming diverticulitis?
¿Qué cambios en la dieta debo hacer para prevenir que la diverticulosis se convierta en diverticulitis?
I have been having left-sided abdominal pain — could my diverticulosis have become diverticulitis?
He tenido dolor en el lado izquierdo del abdomen. ¿Podría ser que mi diverticulosis se haya convertido en diverticulitis?
Where you'll see it
Related ICD-10-CM category
K57 Diverticular disease of intestineRelated terms
Sources
Last reviewed: September 2026