Fallacy: Diverticulosis always causes a serious problem.

Fact:  The fact is that diverticulosis is a condition in which little sacs (diverticula) develop in the wall of the colon. In the United States, the majority of people over the age of 60 years have diverticulosis. Most people do not have symptoms and would not know that they had diverticula unless an x-ray or intestinal examination were done. Only about 20 percent of patients with diverticulosis develop complications such as diverticulitis, bleeding, or perforation.