About this topic
Sometimes, you may get small pouches or pockets in the walls of your large bowel. This is called diverticulosis. The pouches may become inflamed or infected. This is called diverticulitis. You are more likely to have this problem if you are between 60 and 80 years of age. ‚
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What care is needed at home?
- Ask your doctor what you need to do when you go home. Make sure you ask questions if you do not understand what the doctor says. This way you will know what you need to do.
- Take your drugs as ordered by your doctor.
- Eat a balanced diet.
- Do not delay having a bowel movement. Go as soon as you have the urge.
- Drink 8 to 10 glasses of water each day. Talk to your doctor if you are drinking less fluids due to a health problem.
What follow-up care is needed?
Your doctor may ask you to make visits to the office to check on your progress. Be sure to keep these visits. ‚
What drugs may be needed?
The doctor may order drugs to: ‚
- Help with pain and swelling
- Fight an infection
- Soften stools to help prevent straining with bowel movements
Will physical activity be limited?
When you are in pain, you may need to rest in bed. To ease the pain, use a heat compress on your belly. This should last only for a few days. ‚
What changes to diet are needed?
Talk to your doctor about any changes you need to make to your diet. When the pouches become inflamed or infected, you may need to take in just liquids for a few days. This may help lessen your pain and help you heal. ‚
When you are feeling better, start to add more fiber to your diet. ‚
- You do not need to avoid seeds, nuts, corn, or other similar foods.
- You will need to eat food rich in fiber and drink more water.
- Eat 5 or more servings of fresh fruits and vegetables every day.
- Eat 6 or more servings of whole-wheat grain breads and cereals.
- Try to get 25 to 30 grams of fiber every day. Read the labels to learn how much fiber is in foods.
- Do not drink coffee, tea, or beer, wine, and mixed drinks (alcohol).
What problems could happen?
- Pockets or pouches in your bowel may be infected or filled with pus.
- Hole or tear in your bowel
- Narrowing of a part in your bowel
- Surgery may be needed to drain an infection or abscess
- If untreated, the colon may rupture and surgery may be needed.
What can be done to prevent this health problem?
The best way to keep from having diverticulosis is to keep your bowel movements soft and normal. To keep more pouches from forming: ‚
- Eat more whole grains, vegetables, and fruits. Try to get 25 to 30 grams of fiber each day. Read the labels to learn how much fiber is in foods.
- Drink more water. Drink ten 8 ounce glasses a day.
- Work out often.
- Talk with your doctor about adding an over-the-counter (OTC) fiber product to keep your stools soft.
- Overuse of some pain drugs can cause hard stools; talk with your doctor.
- If you have a lot of pouches in your large intestine, surgery may be right for you. Talk to your doctor about this.
When do I need to call the doctor?
- Signs of infection. These include a fever of 100.4 ‚ °F (38 ‚ °C) or higher, chills, very bad sore throat, ear or sinus pain, cough, more sputum or change in color of sputum, pain with passing urine, mouth sores, or wound that will not heal.
- Hard stools or blood in the stool
- Upset stomach or very bad belly pain
- You are not feeling better in 2 to 3 days or you are feeling worse
Teach Back: Helping You Understand
The Teach Back Method helps you understand the information we are giving you. The idea is simple. After talking with the staff, tell them in your own words what you were just told. This helps to make sure the staff has covered each thing clearly. It also helps to explain things that may have been a bit confusing. Before going home, make sure you are able to do these: ‚
- I can tell you about my condition.
- I can tell you what changes I need to make with my diet or drugs.
- I can tell you what I will do if I have very bad belly pain or hard or bloody stools.
Where can I learn more?
International Foundation for Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders ‚
http://www.iffgd.org/site/gi-disorders/other/diverticulosis ‚
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
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Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚