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Diverticular Disease

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Geriatric Gastroenterology

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Abstract

Diverticulosis, essentially a disease of the older adult, has increased in prevalence with changes in demographics and life expectancy. The onset of diverticular disease is typically noted in the sixth, seventh, and eighth decade of life. Abnormally increased intracolonic pressure in the sigmoid region and disordered colonic motility have long been implicated as pathogenic factors. The clinical spectrum of diverticular disease ranges from asymptomatic (over 80%), symptomatic but uncomplicated, complicated diverticulitis, and bright red bleeding. Diverticulitis is a result of microperforation which may be walled off or complicated. Uncomplicated diverticulitis can be treated with oral antibiotics as an outpatient, but some patients require hospitalizations, intravenous fluids, and antibiotics.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Robert Wood Johnson School of Medicine, Drexel University School of Medicine, Philadelphia, USA

    C. S. Pitchumoni MD, FRCP(C), MACP, MPH, AGAF (Clinical Professor of Medicine)

  2. New York Medical College, Vallhala, NY, USA

    C. S. Pitchumoni MD, MPH, FRCP(C), MACP, MACG, AGAF (Adjunct Professor of Medicine)

  3. Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Saint Peter’s University Hospital, New Brunswick, NJ, USA

    C. S. Pitchumoni MD, MPH, FRCP(C), MACP, MACG, AGAF (Chief)

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  1. C. S. Pitchumoni MD, FRCP(C), MACP, MPH, AGAF
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  2. C. S. Pitchumoni MD, MPH, FRCP(C), MACP, MACG, AGAF
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Correspondence to C. S. Pitchumoni MD, FRCP(C), MACP, MPH, AGAF .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Hospital, Department of Medicine, Saint Peter’s University, 254 Easton Ave, New Brunswick, 08901, New Jersey, USA

    C. S. Pitchumoni

  2. (North Division), Department of Medicine, Montefiore Medical Center, 600 East 233rd Street, Bronx, 10466, New York, USA

    T. S. Dharmarajan

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Pitchumoni, C.S., Pitchumoni, C.S., Pitchumoni, C.S. (2012). Diverticular Disease. In: Pitchumoni, C., Dharmarajan, T. (eds) Geriatric Gastroenterology. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-1623-5_53

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-1623-5_53

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