Patient education: Diverticulitis – Discharge instructions (The Basics)

What are discharge instructions? — Discharge instructions are information about how to take care of yourself after getting medical care for a health problem.

What is diverticulitis? — Diverticulitis is a disorder that can cause belly pain, fever, and problems with bowel movements.

The food you eat travels from the stomach through a long tube called the intestine. The last part of that tube is the large intestine, or colon. The colon sometimes has small pouches in its walls. These pouches are called "diverticula" (figure 1).

Many people who have these pouches have no symptoms. Diverticulitis happens when the pouches develop a small tear that becomes infected and causes symptoms. This type of tear is also known as a "microperforation."

Some people with diverticulitis need treatment in the hospital. Others can be treated at home.

How do I care for myself at home? — Ask the doctor or nurse what you should do when you go home. Make sure that you understand exactly what you need to do to care for yourself. Ask questions if there is anything you do not understand.

You should also:

●Follow a liquid diet for the first few days, if your doctor told you to.

●Start to add more fiber to your diet when your doctor tells you to. Then, it is best to eat more whole grains, vegetables, and fruits. Try to get 20 to 35 grams of fiber each day. Read the labels to learn how much fiber is in foods (figure 2). You do not need to avoid seeds, nuts, corn, or other similar foods.

●Take medicines as instructed to help with pain. If you were treated in the hospital and got a prescription for antibiotics, take all of the medicine.

●Do not delay having a bowel movement. Go as soon as you have the urge.

●Drink plenty of water to help keep your bowel movements soft. (Do this only if your doctor or nurse has not told you to limit the amount of water you drink.)

●Get regular physical activity. Walk, garden, or do something active for 30 minutes or more on most days of the week.

What follow-up care do I need? — Your doctor or nurse will tell you if you need to make a follow-up appointment. If so, make sure that you know when and where to go.

Your doctor might also want you to have a test, such as a colonoscopy, to look at all of your colon.

When should I call the doctor? — Call for advice if:

●You have a fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher, or chills.

●Your belly pain is getting worse or is severe.

●You are not able to eat, drink, or take your medicines.

●You feel very tired.

●You are lightheaded or dizzy, or you pass out.

●Your bowel movements look black or dark red.

●You are not having bowel movements or not passing any gas.

More on this topic

Patient education: Diverticulitis (The Basics)
Patient education: Diverticulosis (The Basics)
Patient education: Stomach ache and stomach upset (The Basics)
Patient education: Diarrhea in teens and adults (The Basics)
Patient education: Constipation in adults (The Basics)
Patient education: Colonoscopy (The Basics)
Patient education: High-fiber diet (The Basics)

Patient education: Diverticular disease (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: Diarrhea in teens and adults (The Basics)
Patient education: Constipation in adults (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: Blood in the stool (rectal bleeding) in adults (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: Colonoscopy (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: Flexible sigmoidoscopy (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: High-fiber diet (Beyond the Basics)