Diverticulitis
Diverticulitis is an infection of small pouches or
sacs in the muscle wall of the large intestine, also
called the colon. Stool or food can get caught in
these sacs causing an infection. This infection
can cause swelling or pain. You can get very sick
with diverticulitis.
Signs
• Pain and cramping often on the lower left side
of your abdomen
• Fever and chills
• Nausea and vomiting
• Hard bowel movements called constipation
Your Care
Testing such as a CT scan or a blood test may be
done to plan your care. For your care, you may
need to:
• Rest and eat only liquids for several days.
• Drink 6-8 glasses of water each day.
• Take medicines.
• Take a stool softener.
• Go to the toilet when you have the urge to have a bowel movement.
• Exercise each day.
• Eat more high fiber foods such as wheat bran, whole grain breads and
cereals, legumes, nuts and fresh fruits and vegetables. Slowly increase
the amount of high fiber foods you eat.
• Eat at set times throughout the day.
• Lose weight if you need to.
• Quit tobacco use.
• Reduce stress.
• Stay at a hospital if you have a bad infection.
• Have surgery to remove the damaged part of the colon if you have
diverticulitis often.