Updated: Brock Lesnar has Diverticulitis

According to WCCO.com (via MMAForReal), a local news station in the Minneapolis area:

A source told WCCO that Lesnar has a severe case of diverticulitis, a disease where small pouches form in the digestive system.

According to the always wise Google Health:

Diverticulitis is swelling (inflammation) of an abnormal pouch (diverticulum) in the intestinal wall. These pouches are usually found in the large intestine (colon). The presence of the pouches themselves is called diverticulosis.

Diverticulitis is actually quite common, for older people and people with a low fiber diet.  It is not so common for athletes in the prime of their careers and cases requiring surgery are rare.  Most cases are treated successfully with antibiotics.  If the above report is all true then it is a little unsettling considering the seriousness of the case and significance of major surgery.  As most doctors will tell you, even minor surgeries are not minor and there are risk factors associated with all surgeries.

[Update: Note by Nick Becker 11/17/09: 9:35 EST]: Sherdog is reporting that Dana White has confirmed:

Brock Lesnar is being treated in an unidentified hospital for a bacterial infection in his intestinal tract, UFC President Dana White told the Associated Press on Monday.

"He's in stable condition and should be released soon," said White.

Diverticulitis is a problem with intestinal tract, can require surgery in extreme cases, and has not been refuted, but it appears that this is a bacteria infection and most likely not Diverticulitis.  That illness generally occurs in people over 60 and rarely requires more than antibiotics.  Further updates to follow.

[Update: Note by Zak Woods, 11/17/09 12:34 PM EST ]

The Cage Doctors tells us that there are three types of surgery --Primary bowel resection, Bowel resection with colostomy and Abscess drainage -- that Brock Lesnar may need.

[Update: Note by Zak Woods, 11/17/09 4:33 PM EST ]

Dana White tweeted that Brock Lesnar underwent minor surgery in Bismarck, North Dakota and is feeling better.