How Diverticulitis Is Treated

Some cases of severe and complicated diverticulitis may necessitate surgery. The surgery can be elective or it can be an emergency. There are quite a few factors to be considered before an elective surgery will be performed. These factors are the frequency of the attacks, the intensity of the symptoms, the person´s age and his or her overall health. The person with diverticulitis has to undergo some laboratory tests before an operation will be considered. The doctor will ask for a CT scan. The CT scan can help identify complicated diverticulitis. It can provide a detailed image of the colon which will be very helpful in studying the person´s condition. The person should also provide the doctor with his or her complete and accurate medical history and information about the diverticulitis attacks and symptoms. The surgery can be performed at least six weeks after an acute diverticulitis attack. There is a need for an immediate surgery if there the diverticula ruptured. This is for the reason that the bacteria can spread in the abdominal cavity and cause infection called peritonitis. Peritonitis is the infection of the peritoneal cavity. Surgery is also needed if there is abscess or fistula.

In mild cases of diverticulitis, the person may react well to the diverticulitis diet and antibiotics. Diverticulitis diet is the diet plan formulated to help persons with diverticulitis recovers. It does not treat diverticulitis directly but it is an important part of the treatment. The person will be placed on a low residue diet; usually this lasts for two to three days. The person must reduce his or her fiber intake and consume liquid foods. This is to decrease the bowel volume and give the colon a time to recover. Antibiotics are given to destroy the bacteria which infected the diverticula. The person may begin to feel better after two to three days and can gradually increase his or her food intake. The person should still finish the course of the medication even if the symptoms are getting better. It is also encouraged for persons who had diverticulitis to consume fiber on recommended amounts. This is because it is said that a diet which lacks fiber can predispose the development of the diverticula. Fiber can be obtained from whole grains, fruits and vegetables.
Diverticulitis is the infection and inflammation of the diverticulum or diverticula. A diverticulum is a small pouch that bulges outside the walls of the colon. The collective term for multiple diverticulum is diverticula. The condition of having diverticula is called diverticulosis. A person may have diverticulosis without knowing it. He or she can begin experiencing the symptoms when the diverticula become infected and inflamed. The symptoms of diverticulitis are pain in the lower abdomen, fever, nausea, bloating and diarrhea. This condition must be treated as soon as possible to prevent the complications. The person will undergo a series of laboratory tests and physical examinations. He or she should also give the doctor his or her complete and accurate medical history. The doctor will determine the appropriate treatment once the condition was properly diagnosed.