Guts UK Charity

10/10/2026

This , and every day, we’re here to remind you that you’re not alone.

Our friends at Samaritans are there 24/7, and our Helpline is open Monday to Friday, 10am to 2pm (except bank holidays) to provide information, guidance and support for those affected by digestive conditions and symptoms on 0300 102 4887. You can also use our online Helpline form: https://gutscharity.org.uk/helpline-form/ 💚

10/10/2026

“Having diverticulitis has improved my lifestyle massively because it led me to take more care of myself.” 💬

For Diverticular Disease Awareness Week 2026, Michael shares his 50-year journey of living with diverticulitis.

Diverticulitis occurs when small pouches (diverticula) that stick out from the large bowel wall become inflamed or infected. After years of dealing with pain and emergency surgeries, Michael took steps to manage his condition through diet and lifestyle.

Today, living well with diverticulitis for Michael looks like:
• Enjoying a balanced Mediterranean diet filled with fish, chicken and olive oil.
• Growing his own fruit and vegetables at his home in Cyprus, when he’s not in Devon in the UK.
• Staying active with swimming and regular exercise.
• Eating smaller, regular meals to avoid symptom flare-ups.

Everyone’s experience with digestive conditions is different, but Michael hopes sharing his experiences will encourage others to seek support early and advocate for their health.

📖 Read his full story here: https://gutscharity.org.uk/awareness/personal-stories/michaels-story-diverticulitis/

Need information or support on diverticular disease? Reach out to our Helpline: gutscharity.org.uk/helpline or call 0300 102 4887.

Together, we’re getting to grips with guts. 💚

If you'd like this content in a different format, please message us and we'll be happy to provide it.

09/10/2026

When you’re living with diverticular disease, sometimes the most useful advice comes from someone who’s been there too.

So we asked our community:

“What do you wish someone had told you when you were diagnosed?” 🤔

Swipe through 👉 to see the things people living with diverticular disease want others to know.

Got your own piece of advice? 💬 Share it in the comments! Your experience could help someone else feel a little less alone. 💚

Read more: https://gutscharity.org.uk/awareness/ddaw/

08/10/2026

07/10/2026

Let’s get particular about your top 10 questions for our Helpline team! 💚

Ever wondered who is on the other end of the phone? The friendly faces behind our Helpline team have pulled together the most common queries we receive about diverticular disease, covering everything from diet and lifestyle to how to manage the condition.

Always chat with your GP if you notice any new or unusual changes. You should seek urgent medical help straight away if you experience:

- Worsening belly pain
- High temperature
- Feeling sick and being sick
- Blood in your poo

Our Helpline offers information, support, guidance and signposting for anyone affected by digestive symptoms and conditions such as diverticular disease. Reach out to us from Monday to Friday, 10am to 2pm or request support online using our webform at http://gutscharity.org.uk/helpline.

👉 Don’t forget our ‘Let’s Get Particular About Diverticular' live stream goes live at 6pm tomorrow, featuring Julie busting myths and misconceptions, and Karan talking about what it is really like to live with the condition - join us here: https://www.facebook.com/events/1656339462493062

06/10/2026

Today, let’s get particular about the symptoms! 💚

Jonny is here to break down the common signs of diverticular disease. Everyone’s symptoms can be a bit different and pain may come and go, often feeling worse after eating or easing after going to the toilet for a poo or passing wind. For people of South Asian background, this pain is sometimes on the right side instead of the left.

Most people with diverticular disease do not have any symptoms and even fewer will go on to have complications. Know the symptoms. Listen to your body. Reach out to your doctor when something feels off.

👉 Don’t forget to tune into our ‘Let’s Get Particular About Diverticular’ live stream this Thursday from 6-6:30pm where we’ll be answering all your questions. Set up your reminder and join us live here: https://www.facebook.com/events/1656339462493062

05/10/2026

It’s Diverticular Disease Awareness Week! 🎉

This week, we’re getting particular about diverticular disease – untangling the terminology, answering your questions and sharing advice and real experiences along the way.

First up…

Diverticula. Diverticulum. Diverticular disease. Diverticulitis. Diverticulosis. 🤯

The terminology can get a little twisted and confusing, so swipe through our diverticular dictionary to get to grips with what the words mean.

Stay tuned for the rest of the week as we get particular about diverticular disease, including our FIRST ever Live this Thursday at 6pm! (Yay! ✨) We’ll be answering your questions around diverticular disease, so get them ready! 👏👏 you can drop them in the comments or send us a DM.

https://gutscharity.org.uk/2026/09/lets-get-particular/

If you'd like this content in a different format, please message us and we'll be happy to provide it.

01/10/2026

Save the date! Join us on Thursday 8 October, from 6 - 6:30pm for our live stream: Let’s get particular about diverticular 💚

Diverticular disease is a common digestive condition affecting 1 in 3 people, increasing to 1 in 2 during their lifetime, yet so many people have never heard of it.

During this session, you will hear what it’s really like to live with this condition from Karan. You will also hear from Julie, our information manager at Guts UK, as she breaks down myths and misconceptions, alongside a live FAQ covering the questions you ask us the most.

👉 We will be streaming live across Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Will you be joining us?

Set your reminder and click the link to join us live: https://www.facebook.com/events/1656339462493062

Together, let's get particular about diverticular! 💚



[Image description: At the top, a red banner reads "Save the date" above a calendar for October 2026, with Thursday the 8th circled in red. A turquoise speech bubble reads: "Let's get particular about diverticular disease! Thursday 8 October 2026, 6pm - 6:30pm BST". Below this, a "Live stream" icon appears next to the Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube logos. In the bottom right corner, a Guts UK-branded character, Diverticular Dave, appears in pain with his diverticular pouches.]

30/09/2026

Diarrhoea, constipation, bloating, wind… most of the time, these common bowel symptoms aren’t a sign of anything serious and most of us will experience them every now and then. But what does it mean if you’re experiencing persistent digestive symptoms?

If you’re experiencing symptoms long-term and they’re having an impact on your everyday life, it might be a sign that something else is going on. These symptoms can be associated with different digestive conditions, so it’s important to seek help if you need it.

We’ve got information about a range of digestive symptoms on our website, which is a great place to start to learn more about different symptoms, how to manage them, and some of the most frequent causes.

Not sure where to turn next? Our Helpline team is on hand to provide information and guidance. Call us on 0300 102 4887 or go to http://gutscharity.org.uk/helpline.

If you’re experiencing persistent digestive symptoms, you don’t need to suffer in silence or alone. 💚

[Image description: A man wearing a blue plaid shirt is holding his stomach in pain. The text around him reads: "I probably just ate too fast today", "Everyone gets bloated sometimes, right?", "It's just stress", "It's nothing. I am just getting older", "It was definitely just that takeaway last night", "My tummy is just being dramatic" and "It will pass".
Image 2: The text reads: "But what happens when... tomorrow turns into next week and next week turns into next month? And the symptoms are still there?" The man wearing a blue plaid shirt is holding his stomach in pain in the bottom right corner, with surrounding labels pointing to his body indicating bloating, diarrhoea, wind, and constipation.
Image 3: The text reads: "It might be a sign...that something else is going on."
Image 4: The text reads: "Don't ignore your symptoms if they persist. Please seek help from your doctor."
Image 5: The text reads: “You do not need to figure this out alone. Take a look at our expert information on more than 40 digestive conditions and symptoms. For information and support, reach out to our Helpline team on 0300 102 4887 or complete our form at gutscharity.org.uk/helpline." On the right, a phone browser navigates Guts UK’s information on digestive conditions and symptoms.]

29/09/2026

If we had a penny for every time the internet tried to diagnose our digestive conditions or symptoms, we’d all be millionaires by now. 🤔

When it comes to our health, it’s so easy to fall into quick fixes or brush off changes that deserve our attention. Listening to your body and knowing what is normal for you is so important.

Don’t forget to check your poo. It can be an indication of your health. Our Poo-Torial tool helps you check the colour, consistency, and frequency of emptying your bowels, so you can learn what your poo is trying to tell you.

Check your poo using our Poo-Torial here: https://gutscharity.org.uk/advice-and-information/poo-torial/ 💚

[Image description: Image 1: Two hands playing rock-paper-scissors and the left hand forms scissors and the right hand forms a rock, holding a poo in a toilet pen. The text above the scissors reads: "Cutting out food groups because a random person on social media told you so." The text above the rock reads: "Seeking tailored advice from a healthcare professional."
Image 2: The text above the scissors reads: “Googling your symptoms at midnight to self-diagnose." The text above the rock reads: "Speaking with your doctor."
Image 3: The text above the scissors reads: “Swallowing endless over-the-counter medications without any medical guidance." The text above the rock reads: "Speaking to your pharmacist or doctor."
Image 4: The text above the scissors reads: “Buying 'miracle' detox teas to reset your body." The text above the rock reads: "Trusting evidence-based information instead of 'quick' fixes."
Image 5: The text above the scissors reads: “Paying for food intolerance testing." The text above the rock reads: "Discussing digestive symptoms with your doctor or dietitian for further investigations."
Image 6: The text above the scissors reads: “Ignoring sudden and unexplained changes in your bowel habits." The text above the rock reads: "Getting any new or persistent digestive symptoms checked out. Use our Poo-Torial tool to learn what your poo is trying to tell you!"
Image 7: The text above the scissors reads: “Apologising for needing to rest or take things slower when you're feeling drained." The text above the rock reads: "Allowing yourself the time to rest and recover without feeling guilty."
Image 8: The text above the scissors reads: “Not talking about your bowel habits out of fear that it's inappropriate." The text above the rock reads: "Normalising conversations about digestive health to help break the stigma surrounding our guts."]