A diverticulum is a small pouch that forms in the wall of an organ-most often in the throat, intestine, bladder, or urethra. It develops when internal pressure pushes the lining through a weak spot in the muscular wall, creating an outpouching that can be asymptomatic or lead to discomfort and complications.
Many people with a diverticulum have no symptoms. When symptoms do occur, they vary by location and size of the pouch. You may notice:
Diverticula form when pressure inside an organ forces the inner lining through a weakened spot in the outer wall. Common contributing factors include:
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Diverticula form when high pressure inside an organ pushes through a weak spot in the wall. Common factors include straining during constipation or urination, age-related muscle thinning, chronic inflammation, or congenital defects like Meckel's diverticulum.
Meckel's diverticulum follows the "rule of 2": it affects about 2% of the population, is typically 2 inches long, lies roughly 2 feet from the ileocecal valve, and often presents by age 2.
Bladder diverticulum may cause recurrent urinary tract infections, difficulty emptying the bladder, weak urine stream, pain or burning during urination, and urine pooling.
Meckel's diverticulum often presents with painless rectal bleeding, dark or tarry stools, anemia, or intestinal blockage, particularly in young children.
Urethral diverticulum in women is relatively rare but can lead to recurrent UTIs, pain or pressure in the pelvis, discomfort during intercourse, or a tender bulge along the vaginal wall.
Zenker's diverticulum can be managed endoscopically using a flexible scope to divide the pouch wall or through open surgery to remove or reduce the diverticulum, depending on its size and symptoms.
Yes. A high-fiber diet helps lower pressure in the colon, eases stool passage, reduces cramping, and can prevent the formation or worsening of colonic diverticula.
Yes. Meckel's diverticulum is considered a true diverticulum because it contains all layers of the intestinal wall-mucosa, submucosa, and muscle.
No. Many diverticula are small and asymptomatic. Surgery is reserved for pouches that cause pain, bleeding, repeated infections, or other complications.
GastroDoxs in Jersey Village offers fast appointments and expert care for all types of diverticulum. Contact our office to schedule a consultation and get personalized treatment.
