What differentiates diverticulosis from diverticulitis?

Diverticulosis refers to the existence of diverticula, which are small pouches formed in the wall of the colon, typically without causing any symptoms or inflammation. In contrast, diverticulitis is characterized by the inflammation of these diverticula, which often results in various symptoms. The presence of inflammation is the primary factor that differentiates diverticulosis from diverticulitis, as diverticulitis can lead to complications such as infection, abscesses, or perforation of the colon.

While other symptoms like mucus, pain, or fever may accompany diverticulitis, they are not defining features. For instance, not all patients with diverticulitis will present with fever or significant pain, and the presence of mucus is not a distinguishing characteristic for either condition. Therefore, the key difference is indeed the inflammation associated with diverticulitis, highlighting the importance of recognizing this detail for accurate diagnosis and management.