Most People Develop Diverticulosis in Their Gut by the Age of 80… So What Is It?

Diverticulosis is common with aging: small pouches form in the colon, especially the sigmoid colon, and most people never develop symptoms.

If those pouches become inflamed or infected, the condition becomes diverticulitis, which can cause abdominal pain, fever, and other illness.

Experts say fiber, digestive health, and broader lifestyle factors may help lower symptoms and reduce the risk of hospitalization.

The article highlights the difference between the usually harmless condition and its more serious inflammatory form, especially in Western countries.