Diverticulitis of the large intestine without perforation

Small pouches called diverticula can develop in the wall of the large intestine. When one or more become inflamed, the result is diverticulitis. Without perforation means imaging has not shown a leak through the bowel wall at that assessment. It does not mean the inflammation should be ignored.

People may notice steady lower abdominal pain, tenderness, fever, nausea, constipation, or diarrhoea. The location and severity vary. A clinician may use your history, examination, blood tests, and imaging to distinguish diverticulitis from other causes of abdominal pain.

Follow the treatment plan you were given and take prescribed medicines exactly as directed. Rest, drink fluids if you can keep them down, and choose foods that your clinician says you can tolerate. During a flare, appetite may be reduced, so a gradual return to normal meals can be more comfortable than forcing large portions.

Avoid starting laxatives, antibiotics left from an earlier illness, or anti-inflammatory painkillers without advice. Arrange follow-up if pain does not ease or bowel symptoms continue. A GP consultation can review recovery and whether further assessment is needed once the acute symptoms have settled.

Get urgent help if pain becomes severe or spreads, your abdomen becomes rigid or markedly swollen, you have repeated vomiting, faintness, confusion, breathing difficulty, or a fever with shaking chills. Seek prompt review for blood in the stool, inability to pass urine, or inability to drink enough to stay hydrated.

Ask which part of the colon is affected, how the diagnosis was confirmed, what improvement should look like, and when to contact the service again. Discuss medicines that may irritate your stomach or kidneys and whether nutrition counselling would help after recovery.