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Patient information factsheet
Endoscopy unit – diverticular advice
This factsheet explains diverticular disease and diverticulitis, which are related digestive
conditions that affect the large intestine (colon).
In diverticular disease, small bulges or pockets (known as ‘diverticula’) develop in the lining of the intestine.
Diverticulitis is when these pockets become inflamed or infected.
How common are diverticula?
Diverticula are very common and are associated with ageing. It’s estimated that 50% of people have
diverticula by the time they are 50 years old, and 70% of people have them by the time they are 80
years old.
The majority of people with diverticula will not have any symptoms. However, one in four people with
diverticula will experience symptoms such as abdominal pain and diarrhoea. People who experience
symptoms are said to have diverticular disease.
What causes diverticula to form?
Not eating enough fibre is thought to be a main cause. Fibre makes your stools softer and larger so that
less pressure is needed by your colon to push them out of your body. Eating low-fibre food produces small,
hard stools (faeces). These are more difficult for the muscles of your colon to move, and will cause you
to strain.
The pressure of moving the hard, small pieces of stools through your colon creates weak spots in the
outside layer of muscle. This allows the inner layer to squeeze through these weak spots, creating
the diverticula.
What are the symptoms?
The most common symptom of diverticular disease is intermittent (stop-start) pain in your lower abdomen
(stomach). The pain is often worse when you are eating, or shortly afterwards. Passing stools and breaking
wind (flatulence) may help to relieve the pain.
Other symptoms of diverticular disease include:
• a change in your normal bowel habit, such as constipation or diarrhoea
•bloating
• bleeding from your rectum (back passage)
Treatment
Most cases of diverticular disease can be treated at home. Paracetamol is recommended to help relieve
any pain.
Eating a high-fibre diet may initially help to control and resolve the symptoms. Some people will notice an
improvement after a few days, although it can take around a month for you to fully feel the benefits.
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Patient information factsheet
If you are having symptoms of constipation, you may be given a bulk-forming laxative. These can cause
flatulence (wind) and bloating. Drink plenty of fluid in order to prevent any blockage (obstruction) in your
digestive system.
Diverticulitis
Diverticulitis occurs when bacteria become trapped inside one of the diverticula (pouches), causing an
infection and triggering more severe symptoms.
Mild cases may be managed at home with advice from your GP who may prescribe you antibiotics.
More severe problems can occur such as bleeding from the diverticula, or the formation of an abscess
(a collection of pus). Symptoms of this are passage of blood from your bottom or constant abdominal pain
(with or without a fever).
You should report these symptoms to a doctor as they may mean that you will need to be admitted to
hospital for more intensive treatment.
Food advice
Try to follow a healthy, balanced diet and make sure you are eating enough fibre. Starchy food (including
wholemeal bread, pasta, potatoes and breakfast cereals) should form the main part of each meal.
These foods are filling without providing too many calories. They are a good source of fibre, vitamins
and minerals, as are fruit and vegetables.
Advice on eating a balanced diet:
• try to eat a variety of fruit and vegetables daily
• try to choose wholemeal bread instead of white
• serve potatoes baked in their jackets and add a filling such as tuna, sweetcorn or baked beans
• enjoy pasta-based dishes and serve rice (in risotto or rice pudding or alongside stir fry, chilli con carne and
curry, for example)
• try to choose wholemeal-type breakfast cereals
• add peas, beans and lentils to meals, or use as a substitute to meat
• add dried fruit to breakfast cereal, yoghurt, rice pudding and cakes
Try to drink at least eight cups of fluid a day.
Further information
Please ask the nursing staff if you have any questions about your treatment or services within the
endoscopy unit.
If you have any comments, compliments, concerns or complaints please contact patient support services on
023 8120 6325 or email: [email protected]
If you need a translation of this document, an interpreter
or a version in large print, Braille or on audio tape, please
telephone 023 8120 4688 for help.
© 2015 University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust. All rights reserved. Not to be reproduced in whole or in part without the permission of the copyright holder.
Version 3. Published December 2015. Due for review December 2018. 2015-989(3)
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