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(08) 6110 0570admin@pdchealthhub.com.auDiverticula are small pouches in the wall of the large bowel. Without inflammation that is diverticulosis, and when a pouch becomes inflamed it is diverticulitis, which needs a doctor.
Diverticula are small pouches that form in the wall of the large bowel. Having them without inflammation is called diverticulosis, and most people have no symptoms.1,2 It becomes more common with age.2 Diverticular disease means the pouches are causing symptoms: cramps or lower abdominal pain that comes and goes, bloating, and constipation alternating with diarrhoea.2 Diverticulitis means a pouch has become inflamed or infected, usually with pain in the lower left abdomen, often with fever, nausea and a change in bowel habit.1,2
Between episodes, the work is fibre and fluid. A high fibre pattern keeps stools soft and lowers the chance of diverticulitis, built from fruit and vegetables, wholegrain breads and cereals and legumes, with plenty of water across the day and regular activity.1,2 Australians are advised to aim for at least twenty five to thirty grams of fibre daily, and it needs to go up slowly so your gut can adjust.3 During an acute attack this reverses: your doctor may put you on a low fibre or fluid only diet with antibiotics, and food is reintroduced as things settle.1,2
The old advice to avoid nuts, seeds and corn came from the idea that hard fragments could lodge in a pouch. Dietitians Australia states plainly that the evidence for it is poor, and that avoiding these foods is unnecessary unless you are having a painful diverticulitis flare, so there is no reason to leave them out between episodes.1 PDC dietitians do not diagnose diverticulitis and do not prescribe antibiotics: that is your GP's call, and we work to their plan.
PHOTO NEEDED · Add a Hero Image to this condition in the CMS: a PDC clinician with a client, natural light, no identifiable health information on screen
Symptoms are a guide, not a diagnosis. Your GP confirms the diagnosis; our team helps you manage it day to day.
The teams and services that most often support people with this condition. They work from one shared plan, and one GP referral reaches all of them.
This page follows Australian guidance: Dietitians Australia's diverticular disease and fibre advice, and healthdirect Australia's information on diverticular disease, diverticulitis and diverticulosis.
No, not as a standing rule. Dietitians Australia says the evidence behind that advice is poor, and that avoiding nuts, seeds and corn is unnecessary unless you are having a painful diverticulitis flare. They are useful foods, and there is no reason to leave them out between episodes.
Australians are advised to aim for at least twenty five to thirty grams a day, and most people land well short of that. We build it up slowly, adding a small amount of a new high fibre food every few days, because going too fast causes wind and discomfort. Fluid goes up at the same time.
Your doctor may put you on a low fibre or fluid only diet while antibiotics work, and solid food goes back in gradually as pain and inflammation settle. We write that stepped plan out for you so you are not guessing. Diagnosing the attack and prescribing the antibiotics is your GP's job, not ours.
Not for most people, and many people with the pouches never have symptoms at all. A high fibre diet, enough fluid, regular activity, a healthy weight and not smoking all lower the chance of an attack. Less red meat and less salt are part of the same advice.
That is a decision for your GP or gastroenterologist. A colonoscopy may be recommended after an episode of diverticulitis, or if you have symptoms. Any bleeding from your bowel or back passage should always be seen by a doctor.
Tell us what is going on and we will point you to the right discipline, or to more than one. Most people start with a single appointment and leave with a plan the rest of the team can see.
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