⁰¹³ ℂ𝕃𝔸ℝ𝕀𝔽𝕐 *Making Medicine Clearer* ᴾᵒʷᵉʳᵉᵈ ᵇʸ ᵂᵉᵀʰᵉᴰᵒᶜᵗᵒʳˢ 𝙳𝚒𝚟𝚎𝚛𝚝𝚒𝚌𝚞𝚕𝚒𝚝𝚒𝚜 𝚟𝚜. 𝙳𝚒𝚟𝚎𝚛𝚝𝚒𝚌𝚞𝚕𝚘𝚜𝚒𝚜 Wₕy ₜₕₑ ₘᵢₓ-ᵤₚ? The words sound nearly identical, but one is a calm storm while the other is a raging fire. 🌱 𝙳𝚒𝚟𝚎𝚛𝚝𝚒𝚌𝚞𝚕𝚘𝚜𝚒𝚜 Definition: The presence of small pouches (diverticula) in the colon wall, often without symptoms. It’s common with age, especially over 40. Many people never notice. A high-fiber diet helps prevent complications. Think of it as harmless outpouchings—like tiny dents in a hose. ────────────── Vs. ────────────── 🔥 𝙳𝚒𝚟𝚎𝚛𝚝𝚒𝚌𝚞𝚕𝚒𝚝𝚒𝚜 Definition: Inflammation or infection of those pouches in the colon. It presents with left lower abdominal pain, fever, nausea, and sometimes bloody stool. It may need antibiotics or even surgery. Unlike diverticulosis, this condition is painful and requires intervention. ℂ𝕃𝔸ℝ𝕀𝔽𝕀𝔼𝔻 Diverticulosis = pouches present, no pain Diverticulitis = pouches angry, bring pain The “-itis” makes all the difference. 𝒔𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒍𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕 𝒐𝒏 𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒑𝒍𝒆𝒙𝒊𝒕𝒚, 𝒐𝒑𝒆𝒏𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒎𝒊𝒏𝒅𝒔. *_WeTheDoctors™ | © 2025_*