Gregg Wallace has said that he was practically “doubled up in pain” due to a painful health condition. The former greengrocer suffers from a bowel condition – and now needs to avoid foods that can bring on symptoms.
He admits that he sometimes “forgets”. And he told the Mirror Online “they can burst your intestine. I was almost doubled up in pain.”
He was diagnosed with diverticulitis in 2018. The NHS explains that “diverticular disease and diverticulitis are conditions that affect the large intestine (bowel), causing tummy (abdominal) pain and other symptoms. They’re caused by small bulges or pouches in the walls of the intestine called diverticula.”
Wallace has been in the spotlight for days – and today said “it’s obvious to me I need to take some time out while this investigation is under way.” The BBC star stepped aside from presenting duties on MasterChef after 13 women came forward with allegations of inappropriate sexual comments.
On Sunday, he said in an Instagram video that the complaints had come from a “handful of middle-class women of a certain age” – a statement he has since apologised for. A BBC News investigation has revealed a string of allegations of inappropriate sexual comments and inappropriate behaviour against him with the MasterChef presenter’s lawyers strongly denying he engages in sexually harassing behaviour.
What are the signs and symptoms of diverticular disease and diverticulitis?
The symptoms of diverticular disease include:
- blood in your poo
- bloating
- pain in the lower left side of your tummy (abdomen) – a small number of people get pain on the right side
- tummy pain that gets worse after you eat, and gets better after you poo or fart
- constipation
- diarrhoea
If your intestine becomes infected or inflamed, it’s called diverticulitis. You may also have symptoms such as:
- high temperature
- bleeding or passing slime (mucus) from your bottom
severe, constant tummy pain
The NHS warn that the symptoms of diverticular disease and diverticulitis are similar to those of other conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), so if you have these, mention this to your doctor.
When should I call 111 or get an urgent GP appointment?
- there is blood or slime (mucus) in your poo
- you have tummy pain that’s getting worse or does not go away
- you have a high temperature, or you feel hot or shivery
- you keep being sick and cannot keep fluid down
- you have diarrhoea for more than 7 days or are being sick for more than 2 days
Should I call 999?
The health service further warns that if you or someone you care for has the following, call 999 immediately:
- has severe tummy pain and is either vomiting, has a swollen tummy, or cannot poo or fart
- is bleeding heavily from their bottom
- is acting confused, has pale or blotchy skin, has a very high or low temperature, or is breathless or breathing rapidly – these could all be signs of sepsis
How do I get diagnosed with diverticular disease and diverticulitis?
The GP will ask questions to help identify what could be causing your symptoms. You might be asked to do a blood test or to give a poo sample. If you need further tests, you could have a a colonoscopy or flexible sigmoidoscop. This is where a thin tube with a small camera on it is used to check inside your bowels. You may also be suggested to have a CT scan.
How do you treat diverticular disease and diverticulitis?
There are some treatments that can help with the symptoms of diverticular disease such as painkillers such as paracetamol. Other medicines the NHS say could help are bulk-forming laxatives to help symptoms of constipation and diarrhoea whilst medicines designed to help stomach cramps (antispasmodics) may also work.
Diverticulitis is treated with antibiotics if the diverticulitis is caused by an infection as well as painkillers such as paracetamol.
NHS diverticular disease and diverticulitis warning
Do
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eat a healthy, balanced diet including whole grains, fruits and vegetables – there are no specific foods you need to avoid
-
slowly increase how much fibre you eat if you do not eat much fibre – and make sure to also drink plenty of water
-
stop smoking if you smoke
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maintain a healthy weight
Don’t
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do not take NSAIDs (such as ibuprofen) or opioid painkillers (such as codeine) – they can cause stomach problems or constipation, and increase the risk of getting a hole (perforation) in your bowel