As some people age, their large intestinal walls may weaken and bulge out to form small pockets.
These pockets are called diverticula.When they become infected, it’s calleddiverticulitis.
Diverticulitis treatment ranges from short-term diets to medications, hospitalization, and even surgery.
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In this article, learn more about diverticulitis treatment options.
Luis Alvarez / Getty Images
Uncomplicated or Complicated Diverticulitis?
Diverticulitis complicationsinclude:
How Is Diverticulitis Diagnosed?
For people with a history of diverticulitis or continuoussymptoms, other health conditions must also be ruled out.
This can take place via blood tests,lower endoscopy, and other imaging methods.
When Does Diverticulitis Require Emergency Treatment?
Call emergency services if you have severe abdominal pain or rectal bleeding.
This may be a sign of complications of diverticulitis.
Currently, healthcare providers may prescribe antibiotics for some people with diverticulitis (but not all).
Antibiotics are most often prescribed for people with complicated diverticulitis and the presence of abscesses.
Diet and Diverticulitis
Your healthcare provider may recommend aspecific dietif you have diverticulitis.
Diet changes can help treat acute diverticulitis (the sudden onset of active infection) and prevent futurediverticulitis flare-ups.
However, the diet recommendations for diverticulitis treatment and prevention differ significantly.
Fiber
Fiber intake is essential when it comes to diverticulitis treatment and prevention.
However, there is conflicting evidence to support high-fiber diets for diverticulitis prevention.
Low-Fiber Diet for Acute Diverticulitis
Healthcare providers may recommend following a low-fiber diet during a diverticulitis flare-up.
Similar to a liquid diet, this gives your colon a period of rest.
There is not much research yet to support one diet recommendation over another with acute diverticulitis.
Dietary fibers (sometimes called roughage) are the non-digestible parts of plants that we consume.
High-fiber foods include leafy greens, flaxseeds, beans, whole grains, and certain fruits and vegetables.
Do Probiotics Help Diverticulitis?
One 2016 systematic review found insufficient evidence to conclude whether probiotics are effective at reducing diverticulitis symptoms or recurrence.
Since then, there has been ongoing research on the subject.
There isn’t currently enough evidence to determine whether probiotics help with diverticulitis.
The answer probably depends on the punch in of probiotic and infection you have.
However, it’s worth discussing this potential treatment with your gastroenterologist.
Surgical Treatment for Diverticulitis
Surgery may be recommended for some people with diverticulitis.
Each punch in of surgery varies in its level of invasiveness.
When Is Surgery for Diverticulitis Considered?
Not everyone with diverticulitis will require surgery.
Can I Still Get Diverticulitis After Partial Colon Removal?
It is still possible to get diverticulitis after partial colon removal, but this is rare.
They may prescribe you a course of antibiotics after the surgery to clear up any remaining infection.
They may also recommend a low-fiber diet or other methods for colonic rest.
However, if you experience severe abdominal pain or bleeding, it’s essential to seek immediate medical care.
Additionally, there have been some changes over the past two years in recommendations for managing diverticulitis.
As of 2021, antibiotic treatment is now selective rather than recommended for all people with diverticulitis.
There is also less of an emphasis on surgery.
How Long Does It Take to Recover From Diverticulitis?
How Likely Is Diverticulitis to Recur After Treatment?
The likelihood of diverticulitis recurrence after treatment depends on your level of complications.
The location of diverticulitis also affects recurrence; diverticulitis in the sigmoid colon is more commonly associated with recurrence.
Managing Diverticulitis Pain
Abdominal pain is one of the most common symptoms of diverticulitis.
However, you must be careful with your medications to managediverticulitis pain.
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