How is uncomplicated diverticulitis treated? In about 95 out of 100 people, uncomplicated diverticulitis goes away on its own within a week. In about 5 out of 100 people, the symptoms stay and treatment is needed. Surgery is only rarely necessary.
Mild cases of diverticulitis are usually treated with antibiotics and a low-fiber diet, or treatment may start with a period of rest where you eat nothing by mouth, then start with clear liquids and then move to a low-fiber diet until your condition improves. More-severe cases typically require hospitalization.
“Generally speaking, inflammation from diverticulitis can cause scar tissue formation and breakdown of the colon wall, and if the colon wall develops a hole, then an abscess will form,” warns Will Bulsiewicz, MD, a gastroenterologist and gut health expert in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina.
Once treated, most people start feeling better within a few days. Approximately 20% of patients will have another flare-up, or recurrence. This usually happens within 5 years.
If symptoms are severe and not treated, problems such as an abscess or fistula may happen. Surgery often is needed to treat these. It is common to have lower belly pain after recovering from an attack of diverticulitis. But this pain doesn't always mean it's returned.
The diverticulitis flare will usually go away after four to six weeks, Doerfler says. At that point, you can start eating higher-fiber foods like whole grains, fruits and vegetables, and healthy fats like nuts, seeds, avocado, and olive oil.
If you don't treat it, diverticulitis can lead to serious complications that require surgery: Abscesses, collections of pus from the infection, may form around the infected diverticula. If these go through the intestinal wall, you could get peritonitis. This infection can be fatal.
Diverticulitis can lead to the inflamed part of the bowel being in contact with the bladder. This may cause urinary problems, such as: pain when urinating (dysuria) needing to urinate more often than usual.
Once diverticula form, they do not disappear by themselves. Fortunately, most patients with diverticulosis do not have symptoms, and therefore do not need treatment.
Low-grade inflammation and altered intestinal microbiota have been identified as factors contributing to abdominal symptoms. Probiotics may lead to symptoms improvement by modifying the gut microbiota and are promising treatments for diverticular disease.
Lactobacilli have demonstrated to reduce Symptomatic Uncomplicated Diverticular Disease, with a reduction of bloating and abdominal pain [71], while Lactobacillus salivarius, Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium lactis have proven effective in the treatment of acute diverticulitis [72].
According to the American Gastrointestinal Association, a colonoscopy should be performed six to eight weeks after resolution of acute diverticulitis. The purpose of this study is to determine if there is malignancy after an acute diverticulitis event in adults less than 50 years old.
You may still tire easily for several months as your body finishes the healing process. You should be sure to rest whenever you feel fatigued. You may be able to resume normal activities after 4 weeks, but should expect to take time off from work for 4-6 weeks.
Computed tomography (CT) scans are commonly used to diagnose acute diverticulitis, but there are overlapping features between diverticulitis and colorectal cancer (CRC) on imaging studies. Hence, colonoscopy is typically recommended after an episode of acute diverticulitis to rule out underlying malignancy.
Diverticulitis can be treated and be healed with antibiotics. Surgery may be needed if you develop complications or if other treatment methods fail and your diverticulitis is severe. However, diverticulitis is generally considered to be a lifelong condition.
Diverticula usually develop when naturally weak places in your colon give way under pressure. This causes marble-sized pouches to protrude through the colon wall. Diverticulitis occurs when diverticula tear, resulting in inflammation, and in some cases, infection.
Doctors believe the main cause is a low-fiber diet. Most people with diverticulosis don't have symptoms. Sometimes it causes mild cramps, bloating or constipation. Diverticulosis is often found through tests ordered for something else.
Diverticulitis recurred in about 9% of the cases and in two thirds within 5 years after initial surgery. Young patients and those with abdominal complaints were significantly at risk for recurrent diverticulitis.
It is possible that stress plays a role in the development of diverticulitis as it is estimated that in 60 percent of cases the condition occurs due to environmental causes. Stress on the digestive system commonly experienced because of low fiber diets. Diets high in fat may also cause diverticulitis.
According to research, a low FODMAP diet may help prevent high pressure in the colon, thus preventing or correcting diverticulitis. You should avoid the following foods: certain fruits, such as pears, apples and plums. dairy foods, such as milk, yogurt, and ice cream.
Stay with liquids or a bland diet (plain rice, bananas, dry toast or crackers, applesauce) until you are feeling better. Then you can return to regular foods and slowly increase the amount of fibre in your diet. Use a heating pad set on low on your belly to relieve mild cramps and pain.
Other symptoms of diverticulitis can include: a high temperature (fever) of 38C (100.4F) or above. a general feeling of being tired and unwell.