Diverticulitisdoesn’t affect thelife expectancyof most people with the condition.
While complications from diverticulitis can be fatal, this outcome is not common.
Diverticular diseaseis a common condition, especially in people over age 60.
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Diverticulosis is the presence of bulges or pouches called diverticula in the lining of the colon.
If they become inflamed, however, they cause a condition known as diverticulitis.
This can lead to abdominal pain, constipation and/or diarrhea, and, in some cases, bleeding.
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How Does Diverticulitis Impact Life Expectancy?
Having diverticula in the colon doesn’t lead to symptoms or complications for most people.
However, about 5% of people with diverticular disease might go on to develop diverticulitis.
In about 20% of those people, their condition will be considered “complicated” diverticulitis.
However, it is important to get diverticulitis diagnosed and evaluated for any of the potential complications.
Having one or more complications of diverticulitis also increased the risk of death in this study.
Differences in Women and Men
Diverticular disease is more common as people get older.
After the age of 60, it becomes more common in women.
There may be differences between how often females die from complications of diverticular disease vs. males.
One study showed that diverticulitis as a cause of death for females was almost twice that of males.
These numbers dont give much context as to why that might be.
The authors call for more careful monitoring of diverticulitis in females.
More research is needed on the disparities in care and in how diverticulitis affects people across the gender spectrum.
Having a second round of the disease, though, may raise the incidence of death.
About 36% may have symptoms that linger after the firstdiverticulitis flare-up.
People with symptoms that affect their quality of life in the long term might be counseled about having surgery.
Is Diverticulitis Life-Threatening?
In most cases, diverticulitis is not life-threatening.
Upon a second flare-up of diverticulitis, mortality was 2.2% in those who received treatment.
In people who underwent surgery to treat that second flare-up, 4.6% died.
This is usually reserved for people who are having repeated attacks or who have ongoing pain.
However, surgery doesnt remove the possibility of diverticulitis altogether.
Chronic pain can occur with diverticular disease.
Studies on people after surgery found that chronic pain could affect as many as 25%.
In addition, complications may affect as many as 10% to 20% of patients after surgery.
Living a Long Life With Diverticulitis
For most people, diverticulitis wont affect their life span.
Many people dont even know they have diverticular disease.
Only a small percentage will have symptoms, and an even smaller number will have complications.
People can take measures to lower their risk of diverticular disease and/or of diverticulitis becoming a problem.
Diverticulitis is usually treated at home with rest and a liquid or low-fiber diet to start.
For people who have complications, treatment in the hospital is needed to prevent further problems.
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