Health Dictionary
Reliable, easy-to-read patient information on common medical conditions — written in plain language, free of jargon, and grounded in current evidence. Browse the most frequent diagnoses, understand what they mean for everyday life, and learn which steps and questions help you have a focused conversation with your doctor.
Diverticulosis causes
Introduction
Overview
Overview
Diverticula are thought to be caused by an increased pressure within the lumen of the colon. Increased intra-colonic pressure secondary to constipation may result in weaknesses in the colon walls giving way to diverticula. Other causes may include high-pressure colonic spasm, which may be due to dehydration or low-fiber diets. Fiber causes stools to retain more water and to become easier to pass during a bowel movement.
Common Causes
- Colonic wall weakness
- Increased intra colonic pressure
- Constipation
- Lack of exercise
- Low-fiber diet
- Older age
- Processed foods
- Frequent straining
Causes by Organ System
| Cardiovascular | No underlying causes |
| Chemical/Poisoning | No underlying causes |
| Dental | No underlying causes |
| Dermatologic | No underlying causes |
| Drug Side Effect | No underlying causes |
| Ear Nose Throat | No underlying causes |
| Endocrine | No underlying causes |
| Environmental | No underlying causes |
| Gastroenterologic | Low-fiber diet, Constipation, Colonic wall weakness, Frequent straining, Increased intra colonic pressure |
| Genetic | No underlying causes |
| Hematologic | No underlying causes |
| Iatrogenic | No underlying causes |
| Infectious Disease | No underlying causes |
| Musculoskeletal/Orthopedic | No underlying causes |
| Neurologic | No underlying causes |
| Nutritional/Metabolic | Low-fiber diet, Processed food use |
| Obstetric/Gynecologic | No underlying causes |
| Oncologic | No underlying causes |
| Ophthalmologic | No underlying causes |
| Overdose/Toxicity | No underlying causes |
| Psychiatric | No underlying causes |
| Pulmonary | No underlying causes |
| Renal/Electrolyte | No underlying causes |
| Rheumatology/Immunology/Allergy | No underlying causes |
| Sexual | No underlying causes |
| Trauma | No underlying causes |
| Urologic | No underlying causes |
| Miscellaneous | Lack of exercise |
Causes in Alphabetical Order
- Colonic wall weakness
- Constipation
- Frequent straining
- Increased intra colonic pressure
- Lack of exercise
- Low-fiber diet
- Olderage
- Processed food use.
References
References
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1];Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Seyedmahdi Pahlavani, M.D. [2]