Have you recently been diagnosed with diverticular disease? Or are you still trying to make sense of what it means for your everyday life?
A diagnosis can leave you with lots of questions. What can you eat? Why does your tummy hurt? How can you manage your symptoms? And what should you do if you’re worried about another flare-up?
We know from the many we people we hear from with diverticular disease how a diagnosis may put a name to their symptoms, but they still feel unsure about what happens next.
First things first: what’s the difference between diverticular disease and diverticulitis?
Diverticula are small pouches that can develop in the wall of the bowel. When these pouches cause symptoms, such as tummy pain, bloating or changes in bowel habits, it’s called diverticular disease.
If one or more pouches become inflamed or infected, this is known as diverticulitis. It can cause more significant symptoms and may require medical treatment, including antibiotics or hospital care in more serious cases.
October is all about diverticular disease awareness
October is a great opportunity to shine a light on diverticular disease and the people living with it. Diverticular Disease Awareness Week takes place from 5-11 October this year, and we are pleased to see it on the calendar, as it helps to raise awareness and improve understanding of this common digestive condition.
At Just For Tummies, we know that people still struggle to find clear, practical support.
Have you ever wondered:
- What foods are best for you when you have diverticular disease?
- How can you look after your digestion between flare-ups?
- What questions should you be asking your GP or healthcare team?
- Where can you find reliable information without feeling overwhelmed?
These are the kinds of questions we want to help you answer, and it’s why I put together our Diverticular Disease Guide.
It’s designed to give you a friendly, accessible place to start, with information to help you better understand your diagnosis and feel more confident having conversations about your care.
Whether you’ve only recently received a diagnosis or have been living with diverticular disease for some time, we hope it helps you feel a little less alone and a little more informed.
If you have worsening or persistent tummy pain, a fever, vomiting or blood in your poo, please seek medical advice rather than trying to manage a possible flare-up yourself.
