Diverticulitis and diverticulosis - discharge

Alternate Names

Diverticular disease - discharge

When You Were in the Hospital:

You were in the hospital because you have diverticulitis, infection of an abnormal pouch (called a diverticulum) in your intestinal wall.

You may have had x-rays or other tests that helped your doctor check your colon. You likely received fluids and drugs that fight infections through an intravenous (IV) tube in your vein. You were probably on a special diet to help your colon rest and heal.

If your diverticulitis was very bad, or a repeat of past swelling, you may need surgery.

What to Expect at Home:

Your pain and other symptoms should go away after few days of treatment. If they do not get better, or if they get worse, you will need to call the doctor.

Once these pouches have formed, you have them for life. If you make a few simple changes in your lifestyle, you may not have diverticulitis again.

Self-care:

Your doctor may have given you antibiotics to treat any infection. Take them as your doctor told you to. Make sure you finish the whole prescription. Call your doctor or nurse if you have any side effects.

Do NOT put off having a bowel movement. This can lead to a firmer stool, which will make you use more force to pass it. The more force you use to pass stool, the more pressure you put on your pouch.

Eat a healthy, well-balanced diet. Exercise will help make your bowel movements more normal and prevent constipation.

Diet:

When you first go home or after an attack, your doctor may ask you to drink liquids only at first, then slowly increase your diet. At first, you may need to avoid whole-grain foods, fruits, and vegetables. This will help your colon rest.

After you are better, your doctor will suggest that you add more fiber to your diet and avoid certain foods. Eating more fiber can help prevent future attacks. If you have bloating or gas, reduce the amount of fiber you eat for a few days.

Good sources of fiber are:

Fruits, such as tangerines, prunes, apples, bananas, peaches, and pears
Tender cooked vegetables, such as asparagus, beets, mushrooms, turnips, pumpkin, broccoli, artichokes, lima beans, squash, carrots, and sweet potatoes
Lettuce and peeled potatoes
Vegetable juices
High-fiber cereals (such as shredded wheat) and muffins
Hot cereals, such as oatmeal, farina, and cream of wheat
Whole-grain breads (whole wheat or whole rye)

When to Call the Doctor:

Call your doctor or nurse if you have:

Blood in your stools
Fever above 100.4 °F that does not go away
Nausea, vomiting, or chills
Sudden belly or back pain, or pain that gets worse or is very severe

Reviewed last on: 3/6/2009
George F Longstreth, MD, Department of Gastroenterology, Kaiser Permanente Medical Care Program San Diego, California. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. © 1997- A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.

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