K.N.O.W. Home Health - DIVERTICULITIS

DIVERTICULITIS

What is Diverticulitis?

Diverticulitis happens when small pouches in the wall of your colon (large intestine) become swollen or infected. These pouches are called diverticula. If you have diverticula but they are not infected, it’s called diverticulosis. When they get inflamed or infected, it becomes diverticulitis.

⚠️ What Causes Diverticulitis?

A piece of poop (stool) or bacteria gets stuck in one of the pouches.
This causes swelling and sometimes infection.
A low-fiber diet over many years may lead to diverticula forming.
Constipation and straining during bowel movements may make things worse.

🤒 What Are the Symptoms?

Belly pain (often on the lower left side)
Fever
Nausea or vomiting
Constipation or diarrhea
Feeling bloated
Not feeling like eating

🍽️ Diet and Special Considerations

During a flare-up, your doctor may tell you to:

Start with clear liquids (broth, clear juices, water).
Slowly move to low-fiber foods (white bread, eggs, rice).
Avoid nuts, seeds, and popcorn during a flare, if your doctor says so.
Drink plenty of water.

After you feel better, your doctor may tell you to:

Eat more fiber (fruits, vegetables, whole grains) to help prevent future flare-ups.
Stay active and avoid constipation.

Never take laxatives unless your doctor says it’s okay.

👩‍⚕️ When to Call Your Home Health Nurse or Doctor

Call your nurse or doctor if you:

Have belly pain that gets worse
Have a fever over 100.4°F
Have nausea or vomiting
Can’t poop or are very constipated
Notice blood in your stool
Feel weak or dizzy

🚨 Go to the Emergency Room if:

You have severe belly pain
You have a high fever and chills
You are vomiting and can’t keep anything down
You feel very dizzy or faint
Your belly feels hard or swollen
You are bleeding a lot from your rectum

✅ PATIENT HOMEWORK/ASSESSMENT

True or False Assessment (Diverticulitis Education) please correct all False statements.

Circle "True" or "False" for each statement below:

True / False – Diverticulitis happens when pouches in the colon become infected or swollen.
True / False – Diverticulitis and diverticulosis are exactly the same thing.
True / False – A low-fiber diet can increase the risk of getting diverticulitis.
True / False – Pain from diverticulitis is usually on the lower left side of the belly.
True / False – Fever and nausea can be symptoms of diverticulitis.
True / False – It’s okay to eat nuts and seeds during a flare-up without asking your doctor.
True / False – Drinking clear liquids is often the first step in the diet during a flare-up.
True / False – Your doctor may ask you to eat high-fiber foods after you feel better.
True / False – It’s good to take laxatives during a flare-up without telling your doctor.
True / False – Constipation and straining may make diverticulitis worse.
True / False – You should drink plenty of water to help with healing and prevent problems.
True / False – You can ignore a fever if you have belly pain.
True / False – If you feel dizzy or faint, you should go to the emergency room.
True / False – Blood in your poop should be reported to your nurse or doctor.
True / False – Vomiting and not being able to keep anything down is a reason to go to the ER.
True / False – Feeling bloated and not hungry can be a sign of diverticulitis.
True / False – Staying active and eating fiber can help prevent future flare-ups.
True / False – Clear juice and broth are good to drink during a flare-up.
True / False – You should always tell your home health nurse if your symptoms get worse.
True / False – If your belly feels hard and swollen, you should just rest and wait.

ASSESSMENT of WELL-BEING INDIVIDUALIZED PATIENT HOMEWORK

Symptom Identification:

Have you experienced sudden abdominal pain, bloating, fever, or changes in bowel habits recently?

Activity Impact/SAFETY:

Does your abdominal discomfort limit your ability to eat, move around, or perform daily activities safely?

Treatment Adherence:

Are you taking your prescribed antibiotics or pain medications exactly as directed and following your doctor’s recommendations for rest and diet?

Preventive Measures:

Are you following a high-fiber diet, drinking plenty of fluids, and avoiding foods that may trigger flare-ups to prevent future episodes?