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What is a common complication of untreated diverticulitis?
Obesity
Gastrointestinal bleeding
Chronic constipation
Dehydration
The correct answer is: Gastrointestinal bleeding
Untreated diverticulitis can lead to several complications, one of which is gastrointestinal bleeding. This occurs because inflamed diverticula can erode into blood vessels, leading to bleeding into the gastrointestinal tract. This bleeding can manifest as rectal bleeding or can be detected through other means, such as stool tests or imaging studies. The other options, while they may relate to general gastrointestinal health, are not direct complications of untreated diverticulitis. Obesity, for example, is more of a risk factor than a complication, while chronic constipation and dehydration may arise from dietary factors and lack of fluid intake but are not specific outcomes of diverticulitis left untreated. Therefore, the risk of gastrointestinal bleeding stands out as a serious consequence of this condition if not properly managed.