One of every 10 Americans over the age of 40 years has a chronic gastrointestinal disease known as diverticulosis, which creates small pockets known as diverticula on the inner walls of the colon, or large intestine. Many people with diverticulosis stay symptom-free for years, but others develop abdominal cramps, bloating and constipation. If the diverticula get irritated and inflamed, this more acute disease is called diverticulitis. If home treatment is not successful, your physician may admit you to the hospital for more intensive care.
Symptoms
Diverticulitis usually starts with sudden, severe pain in your lower left abdomen. You may also develop nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, fever or chills. Your doctor will usually recommend that you stay in bed at home, take oral antibiotics and drink clear liquids for two to three days. A clear liquid diet includes most fluids that you can see through, as well as foods that melt to create clear liquids at room temperature. You can choose plenty of water along with small servings of flavored gelatin, clear soup like consommé or bouillon, strained vegetable broth, pulp-free fruit ice, popsicles and apple, grape or cranberry juice.
Plan of Care
Once you've been admitted to the hospital with a diagnosis of diverticulitis, your doctor will restrict your oral intake for a few days, says the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. This order, abbreviated as NPO, means that you won't be able to drink or eat anything at all. You will receive enough intravenous, or IV, fluids and electrolytes to keep you well-hydrated and comfortable. The nurse will also administer antibiotics and pain medications through the IV line to reduce your risk of infection and help you feel better.
Rebuilding Tolerance
Your nurses will regularly assess your abdominal pain and ask you about diverticulitis symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, chills and fever. Once your symptoms have subsided, your doctor will start advancing your diet according to what you can tolerate. You will start with clear liquid meals and snacks and then graduate to a low-fiber diet once the diverticulitis attack subsides. Eggs, milk and other dairy products, white rice or pasta and fruit without skin, seeds or membranes are good low-fiber options. Your meal tray may also include tender meat, fish or poultry and well-cooked vegetables free from seeds, skins or hulls. A low-fiber diet excludes whole-grain breads, cereals and pastas, legumes such as beans or lentils and raw vegetables and fruit with skin or membranes.
Considerations
To ensure you stay well-hydrated, your nurse will monitor the amount of liquids you ingest and compare that volume with the amount of urine you excrete. Your doctor will order periodic blood tests to make sure levels of sodium, potassium and other electrolytes stay balanced. While most acute diverticulitis attacks clear up with the right treatment, some people need surgery to remove affected portions of the large intestine.
Tips
Even after you're discharged from the hospital, avoid high-fiber foods for a month or so after your diverticulitis resolves, says the Cleveland Clinic. Stay away from whole-grain bread, cereal and pasta, as well as legume such as beans, peas and lentils. Avoid gas-producing vegetables such as cabbage, broccoli and squash. Don't eat fruits and vegetables with seeds, membranes or skins, such as berries and oranges.
