10 Causes of Abdominal Pain
Cause #10: Diverticulitis
Diverticulitis is a condition in which inflammation occurs in the small pouches called diverticula that form in the walls of the digestive tract, especially in the colon. The pouches protrude in weak spots of the gut walls providing space where some waste matter may get trapped. If inflammation occurs or bacteria get into the diverticula and cause an infection, the result is diverticulitis. Risk factors associated with diverticulitis include low fiber diet, obesity, physical inactivity, deficiency of vitamin D, smoking and use of some medications like non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as aspirin, steroids and opiates.
Symptoms of diverticulitis include abdominal pain (usually in the left lower quadrant), bloating, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and constipation.
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