What it is
A diet high in fibre, drinking enough fluids, staying active and not smoking may help prevent symptoms.
Mild diverticulitis is often treated at home with rest and fluids, sometimes antibiotics. Severe cases or complications such as abscesses or bleeding need hospital care and sometimes surgery.
Common signs
- Tummy pain, usually in the lower left side
- Bloating, constipation or diarrhoea
- With diverticulitis: constant severe pain, fever, feeling sick
- Occasionally blood in the stool
How it is usually diagnosed
- Examination and blood tests
- CT scan during a flare
- Colonoscopy or CT colonography after it settles
Records worth keeping
Keeping these together makes each appointment easier, especially when you see a new doctor:
- CT and colonoscopy reports
- Dates of flare-ups and treatments
- Hospital discharge summaries
Questions to ask your doctor
- Do I need antibiotics for this flare?
- What diet should I follow?
- Do I need a colonoscopy to rule out other causes?
When to get help right away
Call 112 or go to the nearest emergency department if you have:
- Severe tummy pain that keeps getting worse, high fever, or heavy bleeding from the bottom: go to an emergency department
This page is general information. It is not a diagnosis and does not replace a doctor who knows your history. Medfold keeps your records organised; it does not interpret them.