Severe diverticulitis generally warrants treatment in the hospital. This is especially true if you have developed any complications or have a high risk for complications. Antibiotics: These will fight a bacterial infection. A clear liquid diet: This is recommended for a short time to rest your bowels.
Blood in your stools. Fever above 100.4°F (38°C) that does not go away. Nausea, vomiting, or chills. Sudden belly or back pain that gets worse or is very severe.
Symptoms of diverticulitis tend to be more serious and include: more severe abdominal pain, especially on the left side. high temperature (fever) of 38C (100.4F) or above. diarrhoea or frequent bowel movements.
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.
If you have a severe attack or have other health problems, you'll likely need to be hospitalized. Treatment generally involves: Intravenous antibiotics. Insertion of a tube to drain an abdominal abscess, if one has formed.
If you've had two or three episodes of diverticulitis, your doctor may recommend an elective procedure called sigmoidectomy, in which the affected part of the colon—called the sigmoid colon—is removed to help prevent a recurrence.
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.
Symptoms of diverticulitis are more severe and often start suddenly, but they may become worse over a few days.
Diet and lifestyle
Not eating enough fibre is thought to be linked to developing diverticular disease and diverticulitis. Fibre helps to make your stools softer and larger so they put less pressure on the walls of your intestines. Some other things that seem to increase your risk include: smoking.
In any case, if you experience any of the severe symptoms of diverticulitis or one of the symptoms that mimic something potentially more serious, you should go to the emergency room for treatment as soon as possible.
Stage IV: Fecal peritonitis results from the free perforation of a diverticulum.
Diverticulitis is an intestinal disease that can cause fatigue in some people. The fatigue may be caused by infection, inflammation, or sleep disruption due to pain. It could also be related to nutritional deficiencies such as anemia, dehydration, medication side effects, or surgery.
Change in bowel habits, either diarrhea (35%) or constipation (50%), can be associated with abdominal pain. Patients may also experience nausea and vomiting, possibly secondary to bowel obstruction. Fever is not uncommon in patients with abscesses and perforation.
When Does Diverticulitis Not Go Away? If symptoms aren't getting better, it's important to discuss them with a healthcare provider. A different type of treatment may be needed. While having a flare-up of diverticulitis, it's important to keep track of symptoms.
Home remedies for diverticulitis that may be recommended include following a liquid diet, increasing your intake of fiber and anti-inflammatory foods, avoiding red meat and high-fat foods, cutting back on alcohol, exercising, and trying certain supplements.
An acute attack may come on more suddenly, while a chronic flare-up may build up over a few days. You should be able to locate it in the precise spot where your diverticulum has become inflamed. It may feel sharp and penetrating or have a burning quality. The pain is usually moderate to severe.
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs): Several studies have shown that the risk of bleeding in diverticula is higher in people who take NSAIDs. 2 OTC NSAIDS include Advil or Motrin (ibuprofen) and Aleve or Naprosyn (naproxen).
Taking Tylenol (acetaminophen) as directed can take the edge off your pain and help you feel better. Other pain relievers might be your preferred drugs of choice. But when it comes to diverticulitis, acetaminophen is your best bet.
After you go home, you may have diarrhea on and off during the first month. It takes about three months for the bowels to learn their “new normal.” You'll need to avoid heavy lifting for six to eight weeks to prevent a hernia.
Your doctor may diagnose your condition using: Abdominal and Pelvic CT: A CT scan is the best test to diagnose diverticulitis. It can also help determine the severity of the condition and guide treatment. You may receive an intravenous (IV) injection of contrast material.
Many people know someone who had an operation for diverticulitis and ended up having a colostomy. In most cases of surgery for diverticulitis, a colostomy is not required. However, sometimes this is not the case.
Living a Long Life With Diverticulitis. For most people, diverticulitis won't affect their life span. Many people don't even know they have diverticular disease. Only a small percentage will have symptoms, and an even smaller number will have complications.
Mild diverticulitis can be treated with rest, changes in your diet and antibiotics.