Diverticulosis occurs when pouches develop in the walls of the colon. When these pouches get infected, this is called diverticulitis. According to the National Institutes of Health, about 10 % of Americans over the age 40 and about half of all people over the age of 60 have diverticulosis.

The cause of both of these conditions is believed to be strain put on the colon by constipation. Hard stools strain the muscles of the colon, causing the pouches to form. Infection occurs when stools or bacteria get trapped in the pouches.

High-fiber foods can help prevent the constipation that causes diverticulosis and diverticulitis. A study by the Harvard School of Public Health showed that dietary fiber, particularly insoluble fiber, was associated with about a 40 percent lower risk of diverticular disease. A high-fiber diet creates softer stools so food moves through the bowels more easily. Along with diet, doctors advise drinking plenty of water, getting regular exercise and establishing regular bowel habits.

You may not even be aware you have diverticulosis. However, it can attack without warning. Symptoms of diverticulitis include abdominal pain, and in cases of infection, fever, nausea, vomiting, chills, cramping, and constipation. See your doctor immediately if you have these symptoms, since this can be a serious disease.