Site Map

Diverticulitis and diverticulosis - discharge

Diverticular disease - discharge

You were in the hospital to treat diverticulitis. This is an infection and inflammation of an abnormal pouch (called a diverticulum) in your intestinal wall (most commonly in the sigmoid colon). This article tells you how to take care of yourself when you leave the hospital.

Images

I Would Like to Learn About:

When You're in the Hospital

You likely had a CT scan or other tests that helped your health care provider diagnose your symptoms and check your colon. This will help tell if there are complications from your diverticulitis. You may have received fluids and medicines 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 a prior episode, you may need surgery.

Your provider may also recommend that you have further tests to look at your colon (large intestine) such as colonoscopy. It is important to follow up with these tests.

What to Expect at Home

Your pain and other symptoms should go away after a few days of treatment. If they do not get better, or if they get worse, you should contact the provider.

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 provider may have given you antibiotics to treat any infection. Take them as you were told to. Make sure you finish the whole prescription. Contact your provider 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 need to use more force to pass it.

Eat a healthy, well-balanced diet. Do not smoke. Exercise regularly. Avoid constipation.

Fiber supplements such as psyllium may decrease your risk of diverticulitis.

If you are taking NSAIDs (such as naproxen or ibuprofen) ask your provider if you can stop them. NSAIDs can increase the risk of diverticulitis.

Diet

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

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

High fiber foods include:

• 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)
• Unlike old recommendations, you do not need to avoid corn, nuts, or seeds if you have diverticulosis or diverticulitis.

When to Call the Doctor

Contact your provider if you have:

• Blood in your stools
• Fever above 100.4°F (38°C) that does not go away
• Nausea, vomiting, or chills
• Sudden belly or back pain, or pain that gets worse or is very severe
• Ongoing diarrhea

Related Information

Diverticulitis
Black or tarry stools
How to read food labels
High-fiber foods
Diverticulitis - what to ask your doctor
Low-fiber diet
Constipation - what to ask your doctor

References

Bhuket TP, Stollman NH. Diverticular disease of the colon. In: Feldman M, Friedman LS, Brandt LJ, eds. Sleisenger and Fordtran's Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease. 11th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 121.

Kuemmerle JK. Inflammatory and anatomic diseases of the intestine, peritoneum, mesentery, and omentum. In: Goldman L, Cooney KA, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 27th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2024:chap 128.

Peery AF, Shaukat A, Strate LL. AGA clinical practice update on medical management of colonic diverticulitis: expert review. Gastroenterology. 2021;160(3):906-911. PMID: 33279517 pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33279517/.

BACK TO TOP

Review Date: 10/30/2024  

Reviewed By: Jenifer K. Lehrer, MD, Gastroenterologist, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

Health Content Provider 06/01/2025

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, for Health Content Provider (www.urac.org). URAC's accreditation program is an independent audit to verify that A.D.A.M. follows rigorous standards of quality and accountability. A.D.A.M. is among the first to achieve this important distinction for online health information and services. Learn more about A.D.A.M.'s editorial policy, editorial process and privacy policy. A.D.A.M. is also a founding member of Hi-Ethics. This site complied with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information from 1995 to 2022, after which HON (Health On the Net, a not-for-profit organization that promoted transparent and reliable health information online) was discontinued.

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. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. © 1997- 2025 A.D.A.M., a business unit of Ebix, Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.