Inflammation of diverticula in bowel wall caused by Diverticulosis. See Intestines Inflammation.Encyclopedia Entry for Diverticulitis :Diverticulitis - what to ask your doctor. What causes diverticulitis? What are the symptoms of diverticulitis? What type of diet should I be eating? How do I get more fiber in my diet? Are there foods that I should not be eating? Is it OK to drink coffee or tea, or alcohol? What should I do if my symptoms become worse? Do I need to change what I eat? Are there medicines that I should take? When should I call the doctor? What are the complications of diverticulitis? Will I ever need surgery?.What to ask your doctor about diverticulitis.Colonoscopy Colonoscopy.Bhuket TP, Stollman NH. Diverticular disease of the colon.Encyclopedia Entry for Diverticulitis :Diverticulitis and diverticulosis - discharge. You may have had a CT scan or other tests that helped your doctor check your colon. You may have 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. Your health care 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.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 will need to call 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.Your provider may have given you antibiotics to treat any infection. Take them as you were told you to. Make sure you finish the whole prescription. Call 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 use more force to pass it. Eat a healthy, well-balanced diet. Exercise regularly.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).Call 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.Diverticular disease - discharge.Bhuket TP, Stollman NH. Diverticular disease of the colon.Encyclopedia Entry for Diverticulitis :Diverticulitis. The formation of pouches or sacs on the intestinal lining is called diverticulosis. It is found in more than half of Americans over age 60. However, no one knows exactly what causes the pouches to form. Eating a low-fiber diet mostly made up of processed foods may be a cause. Constipation and hard stools are more likely when you do not eat enough fiber. Straining to pass stools increases the pressure in the colon or intestines, which may lead to the formation of these pouches. Diverticulitis is caused by small pieces of stool (feces) that become trapped in these pouches, causing infection or inflammation.People with diverticulosis often have no symptoms, but they may have bloating and cramping in the lower part of the belly. Rarely, they may notice blood in their stool or on toilet paper. Symptoms of diverticulitis are more severe and often start suddenly, but they may become worse over a few days. They include: Tenderness, usually in the left lower side of the abdomen Bloating or gas Fever and chills Nausea and vomiting Not feeling hungry and not eating.Your health care provider will examine you. You may need blood tests to see if you have an infection. Other tests that help diagnose diverticulitis may include: CT scan Ultrasound of the abdomen X-rays of the abdomen.The treatment of diverticulitis depends on how serious the symptoms are. Some people may need to be in the hospital, but most of the time, the problem can be treated at home. To help with the pain, your provider may suggest that you: Rest in bed and use a heating pad on your belly. Take pain medicines (ask your provider which ones you should use). Drink only fluids for a day or two, and then slowly begin drinking thicker liquids and then eating foods. The provider may treat you with antibiotics. After you are better, your provider will suggest that you add more fiber to your diet. 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. Once these pouches have formed, you will have them for life. Diverticulitis can return, but some providers think a high-fiber diet may lessen your chances of a recurrence.Most often, this is a mild condition that responds well to treatment. Some people will have more than 1 attack of diverticulitis. Surgery may be needed in some cases. Many times, providers will recommend that you have a colonoscopy after diverticulitis has healed.More serious problems that may develop are: Abnormal connections that form between parts of the colon or between the colon and another part of the body (fistula) Hole or tear in the colon (perforation) Narrowed area in the colon (stricture) Pocket filled with pus or infection (abscess) Bleeding from the diverticula.Call your provider if symptoms of diverticulitis occur. Also call if you have diverticulitis and 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 that gets worse or is very severe.Diverticulitis and diverticulosis - discharge Diverticulitis - what to ask your doctor High-fiber foods Low-fiber diet.Colonoscopy Colonoscopy Digestive system Digestive system.Bhuket TP, Stollman NH. Diverticular disease of the colon.