While mild, uncomplicated cases of diverticulitis may resolve on their own, the small pouches (diverticula) that form in the colon wall (diverticulosis) are generally permanent and cannot be reversed or "healed" naturally. The only way to physically remove the diverticula is through surgery to resect the affected part of the colon.
"Yes, it can, and for that reason, we don't always prescribe antibiotics. We reserve them for diverticulitis in people with an abscess, a significant amount of inflammation, symptoms that aren't improving, a suppressed immune system, frailty, or other health problems — such as liver or kidney disease," Dr.
Diverticulitis comes from infection and inflammation within small pouches (diverticula) that form in the colon wall, often due to high pressure from straining to pass hard, low-fiber stools, trapping bacteria and food, leading to blockage and infection. Risk factors include a low-fiber diet, constipation, obesity, lack of exercise, smoking, red meat, and age, though doctors don't know the exact cause.
Treating diverticulitis
We usually treat mild to moderate diverticulitis with pain-relieving medications and antibiotics to get rid of the infection. You also follow a liquid diet for a few days so your colon has time to heal.
The worst things for diverticulitis during a flare-up are high-fiber foods, red/processed meats, sugar, fat, alcohol, and NSAIDs like ibuprofen, as they can worsen inflammation and symptoms; instead, focus on a temporary low-fiber diet (liquids/soft foods) and gradually reintroduce fiber after healing to prevent future attacks, consulting your doctor for personalized advice.
While no specific foods are proven to trigger diverticulitis attacks, a diet rich in high-fiber foods can help maintain digestive health and reduce the risk of complications. High-fiber foods soften waste, decreasing pressure in the digestive tract. Examples include: Fruits.
Treatment may consist of measures including: Taking painkillers to reduce discomfort. These may be over-the-counter pain medicines such as paracetamol or stronger medicines that require a prescription. Taking Buscopan may help with cramping abdominal pain.
For managing mild diverticulitis pain or symptoms at home, your healthcare professional may recommend eating only clear foods and clear liquids for a few days. Examples of clear liquids that you can have include: Chicken, beef or vegetable broth. Fruit juices without pulp, such as apple, cranberry and grape juices.
A common symptom of diverticulitis is pain in the area below the chest called the abdomen. Most often, pain is in the lower left abdomen. Pain from diverticulitis is usually sudden and intense. Pain may be mild and gradually worsen, or the intensity of the pain may vary over time.
Immunomodulator therapy is showing promise in reducing inflammation. Emerging colon therapies offer new possibilities for diverticulitis care. These innovative treatments aim to provide more effective and less invasive solutions. Patients can benefit from a more personalized approach to treatment.
Straining to pass stools increases the pressure in the colon or intestines, which may lead to the formation of these pouches. In some cases, one of the pouches can become inflamed and a small tear develops in the lining of the intestine. This can lead to an infection at the site.
Stage I: Diverticulitis with phlegmon or localized pericolic or mesenteric abscess. This means there are inflammatory masses or abscesses in the fat surrounding the colon or the folds of the small intestine. Stage II: Diverticulitis with walled-off pelvic, intra-abdominal, or retroperitoneal abscess.
Urgent red flags – seek immediate medical help (999/A&E):
Severe or worsening abdominal pain with fever. Persistent vomiting, inability to pass wind or stool. Heavy rectal bleeding, black or tarry stools. Signs of shock (pale, clammy, dizzy, fainting)
Alternative medicine. A few small clinical trials found evidence that probiotic supplements to increase good bacteria in the colon may reduce risk of new episodes of diverticulitis.
While stress itself doesn't directly cause diverticulitis flare-ups, it can contribute to inflammation in your body which may affect your digestive system, and if you have underlying diverticulosis and other risk factors, then it can potentially trigger a flare-up.
For patients with severe and complicated diverticulitis, ampicillin, gentamicin, metronidazole, piperacillin and tazobactam are the antibiotics successfully used in clinical practice, whereas ciprofloxacin, metronidazole and more recently, rifaximin, have been successfully used in the treatment of uncomplicated ...
Common alternative conditions that can clinically mimic diverticulitis include small bowel obstruction, primary epiploic appendagitis, acute cholecystitis, appendicitis, ileitis, ovarian cystic disease, and ureteral stone disease.
Diverticulitis causes several noticeable changes in your poop, including altered color (bright red, maroon, or black), different shapes (thin, pellet-like, or irregular), and unusual texture (watery diarrhea or hard constipation).
Honestly, recovering from diverticulitis might take up to two weeks. In the initial days of recuperating from straightforward diverticulitis in the comfort of your home, you'll be on a liquid diet, taking it easy, and using the prescribed medications for pain relief.
Which home remedies can help treat diverticulitis?
Take a fiber supplement, such as Citrucel or Metamucil, every day if needed. Read and follow all instructions on the label. Schedule time each day for a bowel movement. Having a daily routine may help.
“The two most commonly prescribed antibiotic regimens for outpatient diverticulitis are a combination of metronidazole and a fluoroquinolone or amoxicillin-clavulanate only,” said Anne Peery, MD, MSCR, assistant professor of medicine in the division of gastroenterology and hepatology at the University of North Carolina ...
You should go to the emergency room (ER) if you have severe lower belly or lower back pain, a high fever, ongoing nausea and vomiting, persistent diarrhoea, or blood in your stool. These symptoms could mean your diverticulitis has worsened and requires urgent medical care.
You can usually treat diverticulitis at home. Your GP may prescribe antibiotics. You can take paracetamol to help relieve any pain. Talk to your GP if paracetamol alone is not working.