“They sent me home with antibiotics, but I’ve still got pain and nobody explained anything.”

After acute uncomplicated diverticulitis, mild pain and loose stools often persist for a week or two; the GP role is to confirm improvement, screen for complications (abscess, perforation, fistula, obstruction, bleeding) and for antibiotic-associated or C. difficile diarrhoea, and fill the information gap. NICE NG147 advises paracetamol and recommends against NSAIDs and opioids, which are associated with diverticular perforation — and a medicines history that includes bought and borrowed medicines finds both here, plus a dangerous paracetamol duplication from a combination product. Diet: there is no need to avoid nuts, seeds or skins; a high-fibre diet with adequate fluids is advised once the acute episode settles. Follow-up colonoscopy (or CT colonography) after a first episode helps exclude colorectal cancer, which can mimic diverticulitis on CT; patients may read it as a sign that cancer is suspected. A family history of bowel cancer in a parent makes honest explanation and encouragement to attend especially important, alongside participation in the bowel screening programme.