Diverticulitis: Did Fidel Castro die of this disease? What are its symptoms, risk factors?

Zee Media Bureau

New Delhi: Fidel Castro, former Communist leader and President of Cuba, has died aged 90. His brother President Raul Castro said that the commander in chief of the Cuban revolution died at 22:29 hours on Friday (03:29 GMT Saturday).

Fidel Castro had been in bad health since at least 2008, forcing him to hand over the presidency to brother Raul Castro in that same year. While an immediate cause of his death was not released with the official announcement, the former president had been speculated upon by the Press then that he suffered from diverticulitis, reports Reuters.

Here's what you need to know about diverticulitis.

Diverticulitis, also called colonic diverticulitis, is a digestive disease that affects the large intestine. Diverticulitis occurs when one or more small pouches that can form in the lining of your digestive tract become inflamed or infected.

Symptoms of diverticulitis include:

• Lower abdominal pain – pain may be constant and persist for several days
• Nausea and vomiting
• Fever
• Constipation
• Feeling bloated
• Blood in the stool

Although the cause of diverticulitis is unknown, several factors - such as smoking, obesity, lack of exercise, ageing, diet – may increase an individual's risk of developing the disease.