Diverticulosis happens when small, bulging pouches (called diverticula) form in the walls of the colon. These pouches are usually harmless and often go unnoticed. Many people don’t even know they have it until it’s found during a routine check-up or colonoscopy.

Although these diverticula are usually harmless, they can sometimes lead to complications such as inflammation and infection (diverticulitis), gastrointestinal bleeding, abscess formation, or even perforation of the bowel, which may result in peritonitis.