Disclaimer: This is general health information only and is not a substitute for advice from your GP or healthcare professional.
1. What is diverticulitis?
Diverticulitis is a condition where small pouches (diverticula) in the lining of the bowel become inflamed or infected. It most commonly affects the large intestine.
2. What causes diverticulitis?
Diverticulitis occurs when diverticula become blocked or infected, often related to changes in bowel pressure. Risk factors include increasing age, low-fibre diet, obesity, smoking, and lack of physical activity.
3. What are the symptoms of diverticulitis?
Symptoms commonly include lower abdominal pain (often on the left side), fever, nausea, vomiting, constipation or diarrhoea, bloating, and tenderness. Symptoms can range from mild to severe.
4. How is diverticulitis diagnosed?
Diagnosis is based on clinical assessment, blood tests to look for infection, and imaging such as CT scan to confirm inflammation and assess severity.
5. Is diverticulitis serious?
Diverticulitis can be mild or severe. Complications may include abscess, bowel perforation, fistula, or bowel obstruction, which require urgent medical care.
6. How is diverticulitis treated?
Mild cases may be treated with rest, dietary modification, and sometimes antibiotics. More severe cases may require hospital admission, intravenous antibiotics, or surgery.
7. What should I eat during and after diverticulitis?
During an acute episode, a low-fibre or fluid-based diet may be recommended. After recovery, a high-fibre diet is usually advised to reduce the risk of future episodes.
8. Can diverticulitis be prevented?
The risk of diverticulitis can be reduced by eating a high-fibre diet, drinking plenty of fluids, exercising regularly, maintaining a healthy weight, and not smoking.
9. Can diverticulitis come back?
Yes. Some people experience recurrent episodes, although many have only one episode. Long-term lifestyle changes can help reduce recurrence.
10. When should I see a doctor?
See a doctor urgently if you have severe or worsening abdominal pain, fever, vomiting, inability to eat or drink, or blood in stools, as these may indicate complications.
