The majority of individuals in Western countries will develop asymptomatic diverticulosis as they age. Diverticular disease, including diverticulitis and diverticular bleeding, affects a small minority of individuals with diverticulosis. Nonetheless, diverticular complications are among the most common gastrointestinal indications for hospitalization in the United States. Patients often have questions regarding diverticulosis and diverticular disease, and the medical literature in this area is evolving rapidly.