Diverticulitis Treatments

Diverticulitis is a condition characterized by the inflammation of the diverticula, small pouches that develop in the lining of the large intestine. The formation of these diverticula is known as diverticulosis. Treatment is typically found through lifestyle and at-home measures, although more severe cases may require hospitalization and, in some instances, serious surgery.

Lifestyle Treatments

• If you present with only mild symptoms such as weak abdominal pain, the only treatment that may be necessary is a slight change in lifestyle. During flare-ups of symptoms, your doctor may recommend that you follow an all-liquid or low-fiber diet to allow ample time for your digestive system to heal. This may be used in conjunction with prescribed antibiotics to kill off the bacteria contributing to the infection.

  As your symptoms start to subside, you can gradually reintroduce fiber and more solid foods into your diet. If you do it all at once, too much fiber can cause unwanted gas and bloating. Consuming approximately 20 to 35 grams of fiber a day, either through food or supplements, can help decrease the risk of future flare-ups and prevent the disease from occurring in the first place. You should also consume lots of water while on a high-fiber diet, as fiber binds with the water to make feces smoother and easier to pass. Neglecting this could lead to constipation.

  Pain and discomfort can be treated through over-the-counter medications such as ibuprofen and acetaminophen. If these simple lifestyle treatments do not effectively alleviate your symptoms, medical intervention may be necessary.

Surgical Treatments

• In the event that your symptoms persist or if complications such as abscesses, obstructions or severe bleeding occur, surgery known as a bowel resection may be necessary. One type of surgery performed is a bowel resection, wherein the affected portion of the colon is completely removed and the remaining healthy portions are attached to each other. If enough of your colon is affected to where the remaining parts cannot be attached, a bowel resection with a colostomy bag may be necessary. This involves the attachment of a bag to your colon through a hole in the abdomen called a stoma through which waste will pass. Depending on the severity of your condition, this may be permanent.

  If complications arise due to an abscess, the abscess may need to be drained. This is accomplished through the use of a catheter. Once the abscess has been drained, your doctor might place you on antibiotics to stave off infection; once it has completely healed, a bowel resection may be necessary.