The best treatment for diverticulitis varies depending on the severity of the disease. Mild cases are often managed through diet, lifestyle changes, and medications. For severe or complicated cases, a surgery may be needed.
The management of diverticulitis includes the following:
- Bed rest
- Plenty of fluids (at least eight ounces of water each day)
- Stool softeners
Dietary changes: A fiber- and nutrient-rich, soft diet helps manage diverticulitis. Foods that are beneficial are as follows:
- Fruits including bananas, apples, peaches, pears, and tangerines
- Lettuce
- Boiled/baked and peeled potatoes
- Vegetable juices
- Mushrooms
- Soft cooked vegetables such as sweet potatoes, asparagus, beets, turnips, pumpkin, broccoli, artichokes, lima beans, carrots, and squash
- High-fiber cereals such as shredded wheat
- Hot cereals, such as oatmeal, farina, and cream of wheat
- Quinoa
- Whole-grain breads such as whole wheat or whole rye bread
Antibiotics: These are used to fight infection and treat abscess formation if any.
Antispasmodic medications: These medicines work on pain and cramps in the tummy.
Probiotics: These are medicines or supplements containing good bacteria. They balance out the gut germs and relieve bloating and gases. They also improve resistance to infections.
Surgery: In cases where there is a hole in the gut due to a severe infection or an injury, an operation may be required.
Is diverticulitis dangerous?
Diverticulitis is a potentially serious condition involving infection or swelling of the pockets or bulges (called diverticula), which may form in the large bowel (colon). These pockets or diverticula push out through the weak spots in the colon. Diverticulitis needs treatment through medications and, in some cases, surgery as it can lead to many dangerous complications:
- Abscess: It is a painful, swollen, infected, and pus-filled area just outside the colon wall. It may cause fever with chills, nausea, vomiting, and severe abdominal pain.
- Bowel obstruction: Diverticulitis may cause partial or complete obstruction of the intestine.
- Perforation: It refers to a small hole or tear in the colon.
- Peritonitis: It is the inflammation or infection of the lining of the abdomen. It presents as fever and severe abdominal pain.
- Fistula: It refers to an abnormal passage between two organs or between an organ and the outside of the body.
Can diverticulitis be prevented?
Some lifestyle and diet modifications can definitely reduce the risk of diverticulitis. Preventive measures include the following:
- Eat plenty of fiber: One of the most important factors that may prevent diverticulitis is having regular bowel movements and avoiding constipation (hard stools and straining). A fiber-rich diet draws more water inside the stool, making it move more easily and swiftly through the gut.
- Drink lots of water: A high-fiber diet pulls more water. Thus, drinking plenty of water is important for regular and comfortable bowel movements. Many experts suggest drinking at least eight ounces of water each day.
- Regular exercise: Staying physically active keeps your weight under check besides aiding digestion and healthy bowel movements. Around 30 minutes of exercise each day or on most of the days is recommended by most experts.
Avoid refined or processed foods such as white rice, pastries, white flour and other processed foods.
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Can Diverticulitis Go Away on Its Own?
Yes, an attack of uncomplicated diverticulitis can go away on its own. However, you must visit your doctor for a thorough evaluation of the episode. Most attacks of uncomplicated diverticulitis are not life-threatening and usually resolve within a week. Complicated diverticulitis needs medical attention because it can cause serious complications.
Common Medical Abbreviations & Terms
Doctors, pharmacists, and other health-care professionals use abbreviations, acronyms, and other terminology for instructions and information in regard to a patient's health condition, prescription drugs they are to take, or medical procedures that have been ordered. There is no approved this list of common medical abbreviations, acronyms, and terminology used by doctors and other health- care professionals. You can use this list of medical abbreviations and acronyms written by our doctors the next time you can't understand what is on your prescription package, blood test results, or medical procedure orders. Examples include:
- ANED: Alive no evidence of disease. The patient arrived in the ER alive with no evidence of disease.
- ARF: Acute renal (kidney) failure
- cap: Capsule.
- CPAP: Continuous positive airway pressure. A treatment for sleep apnea.
- DJD: Degenerative joint disease. Another term for osteoarthritis.
- DM: Diabetes mellitus. Type 1 and type 2 diabetes
- HA: Headache
- IBD: Inflammatory bowel disease. A name for two disorders of the gastrointestinal (BI) tract, Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis
- JT: Joint
- N/V: Nausea or vomiting.
- p.o.: By mouth. From the Latin terminology per os.
- q.i.d.: Four times daily. As in taking a medicine four times daily.
- RA: Rheumatoid arthritis
- SOB: Shortness of breath.
- T: Temperature. Temperature is recorded as part of the physical examination. It is one of the "vital signs."
Diverticulitis Slideshow
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Is Diverticulitis Contagious?
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mineral oil
Mineral oil is a liquid lubricant laxative available over the counter (OTC) taken orally to relieve occasional constipation. Common side effects of mineral oil include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal cramps, fecal urgency, fecal incontinence, oily rectal discharge, anal irritation, itching, and hemorrhoids; intestinal malabsorption, impaired absorption of fat-soluble vitamins, low vitamin levels (hypovitaminosis), and lipid pneumonitis/pneumonia from aspiration. Do not take mineral oil if pregnant or breastfeeding. Do not administer to children under the age of 6.
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