what is the cause and treatment for diverticulitis

Symptoms

Home remedies for diverticulitis

• Liquid diet. For an acute episode of diverticulitis, your doctor may recommend a liquid diet. ...
• Over-the-counter medications. Over-the-counter (OTC) medications, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol), may help relieve some of your pain.
• Probiotics. ...
• High-fiber diet. ...
• Aloe. ...
• Digestive enzymes. ...
• Herbs. ...
• Acupuncture. ...
• Essential oils. ...

Causes

These include:

• Foods that are greasy, fried, and sugary
• High-lactose dairy products such as ice-cream and buttermilk
• Drinks with sugar and caffeine such as smoothies and sodas
• Foods sweetened with artificial sweeteners such as isomalt and xylitol

Prevention

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. Antibiotics

Complications

“If you have diverticulitis with no complications, typically after diagnosis we treat with antibiotics,” Altawil says. “We usually see improvement within the first 24 hours, then considerable improvement within three to five days, and then the disease resolves in about 10 days .”

Which home remedies can help treat diverticulitis?

What foods should you avoid if you have diverticulosis?

Does diverticulitis go away after treatment?

How long does it take for diverticulitis to heal?

What is the main cause of diverticulitis?

Fast facts on diverticulitis Diverticulitis is an infected pouch in the colon. Symptoms of diverticulitis include pain, constipation, and blood in the stool. One of the main causes of diverticular disease is thought to be a lack of dietary fiber. Most people can self-treat the condition.

What are the trigger foods for diverticulitis?

Actually, no specific foods are known to trigger diverticulitis attacks. And no special diet has been proved to prevent attacks. In the past, people with small pouches (diverticula) in the lining of the colon were told to avoid nuts, seeds and popcorn.

What helps diverticulitis go away?

Can diverticulitis be cured? 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.

What is the best drink for diverticulitis?

Water and clear juices (such as apple, cranberry, or grape), strained citrus juices or fruit punch. Coffee or tea (without cream or milk) Clear sports drinks or soft drinks, such as ginger ale, lemon-lime soda, or club soda (no cola or root beer)

What should you avoid eating with diverticulitis?

Foods to avoid with diverticulitis include high-fiber options such as:Whole grains.Fruits and vegetables with the skin and seeds.Nuts and seeds.Beans.Popcorn.

What are the early warning signs of diverticulitis?

The signs and symptoms of diverticulitis include:Pain, which may be constant and persist for several days. The lower left side of the abdomen is the usual site of the pain. ... Nausea and vomiting.Fever.Abdominal tenderness.Constipation or, less commonly, diarrhea.

What does diverticulitis stool look like?

Diverticulitis stool characteristics Color: The stool may be bright red, maroon, or black and tarry, which indicates the presence of blood. Stools may contain more mucus than normal. Odor: The stool odor may be increasingly foul compared to the typical smell.

Can diverticulitis go away on OWN?

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.

How to reduce the risk of diverticulitis?

Lack of exercise. Vigorous exercise appears to lower your risk of diverticulitis. Diet high in animal fat and low in fiber. A low-fiber diet in combination with a high intake of animal fat seems to increase risk, although the role of low fiber alone isn't clear. Certain medications.

What drugs are associated with diverticulitis?

Several drugs are associated with an increased risk of diverticulitis, including steroids, opioids and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others) and naproxen sodium (Aleve).

What is the name of the condition where a pouch of intestines is inflamed?

Open pop-up dialog box. Close. Diverticulosis and diverticulitis. Diverticulosis and diverticulitis. Diverti culosis occurs when small, bulging pouches (diverticula) develop in your digestive tract. When one or more of these pouches become inflamed or infected, the condition is called diverticulitis. Diverticula are small, bulging pouches that can ...

What are the complications of diverticulitis?

About 25% of people with acute diverticulitis develop complications, which may include: 1 An abscess, which occurs when pus collects in the pouch. 2 A blockage in your bowel caused by scarring. 3 An abnormal passageway (fistula) between sections of bowel or the bowel and other organs. 4 Peritonitis, which can occur if the infected or inflamed pouch ruptures, spilling intestinal contents into your abdominal cavity. Peritonitis is a medical emergency and requires immediate care.

Where are diverticula found?

Diverticula are small, bulging pouches that can form in the lining of your digestive system. They are found most often in the lower part of the large intestine ( colon). Diverticula are common, especially after age 40, and seldom cause problems. The presence of diverticula is known as diverticulosis (die-vur-tik-yoo-LOE-sis).

What is the term for a bowel infection that occurs when pus collects in the pouch?

An abscess, which occurs when pus collects in the pouch. A blockage in your bowel caused by scarring. An abnormal passageway (fistula) between sections of bowel or the bowel and other organs. Peritonitis, which can occur if the infected or inflamed pouch ruptures, spilling intestinal contents into your abdominal cavity.

How to reduce pressure in colon?

Exercise promotes normal bowel function and reduces pressure inside your colon. Try to exercise at least 30 minutes on most days. Eat more fiber. A high-fiber diet decreases the risk of diverticulitis.

How to reduce the chances of getting diverticulitis?

You can minimize the chances of developing an infection by modifying your diet. If you have a mild case of diverticulosis, your doctor may have you eat a high-fiber diet to make sure the bowels move regularly and to reduce the odds of getting diverticulitis.

What are the factors that contribute to diverticulosis?

Aging and heredity are primary factors in the development of diverticulosis and diverticulitis, but diet also plays a role. Eating a diet low in fiber and high in refined foods may increase the risk. Indeed, in Western societies, an estimated 10% of people over 40 eventually develop diverticulosis; the figure reaches at least 50% in people over 60.

How to diagnose diverticulitis?

If you think you have either diverticulosis or diverticulitis, talk to your doctor. Your doctor can perform tests to diagnose the conditions including: 1 A series of contrast images from a CT scan or from X-rays that then are processed and viewed on a computer to see the intestines and surrounding tissue and bones 2 Colonoscopy, a test in which a flexible lighted tube is used to examine the inside of the intestines

Can a colonoscopy injure the intestine?

Colonoscopy, a test in which a flexible lighted tube is used to examine the inside of the intestines. If you have an acute case of diverticulitis, a colonoscopy can injure your intestine. Instead, your doctor may recommend only a CT scan, which can help confirm the diagnosis of diverticulitis.

Can diverticulitis be reversed?

Depending on the success of recovery, this procedure may be reversed during a second operation. If you have several attacks of acute diverticulitis, your doctor may want to remove the affected section of the intestine when you are free of symptoms.

What happens if you don't treat diverticulitis?

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. You’ll need treatment right away.

How do you know if you have diverticulitis?

The diverticula are usually painless and cause few symptoms, if any. But you might notice: Cramping on the left side of your abdomen that goes away after you pass gas or have a bowel movement. Bright red blood in your poop.

What to do if your intestine ruptures?

When you’re healed, your doctor might give you a colonoscopy to rule out colon cancer. You can prevent diverticulosis and diverticulitis and their complications by eating plenty of fiber, drinking lots of water, and exercising regularly.

What is it called when you have a pouch in your intestine?

Diverticulitis is the infection or inflammation of pouches that can form in your intestines. These pouches are called diverticula. The pouches generally aren’t harmful. They can show up anywhere in your intestines. If you have them, it's called diverticulosis. If they become infected or inflamed, you have diverticulitis.

Why do intestinal walls tear?

Perforation or tearing in the intestinal wall can lead to abscesses and infection because of waste leaking into the abdominal cavity. Scarring can lead to a stricture or blockage of the intestine. Fistulas can develop if an infected diverticulum reaches a nearby organ and forms a connection.

What is it called when you have a ruptured bowel?

If you have them, it's called diverticulosis. If they become infected or inflamed, you have diverticulitis. Sometimes, diverticulitis is minor. But it can also be severe, with a massive infection or perforation (your doctor will call it a rupture) of the bowel.

What to do if you have an abscess in your abdomen?

If you have an abdominal abscess, your doctor will drain it.

How to treat diverticulitis in the colon?

To treat bladder diverticulitis, your doctor might prescribe antibiotics and pain medications. They might also recommend surgery to repair the diverticula. It’s also possible for diverticulitis in your colon to affect your bladder. In severe cases, you might develop a fistula between your colon and bladder.

What are the complications of diverticulitis?

These complications can include: intestinal perforation, a tear or hole in the intestinal wall that can allow the contents of your colon to leak into your abdominal cavity, causing inflammation and infection.

What age is the most likely to develop diverticulitis?

One of the main risk factors for diverticulitis is age. Older people are more likely than younger people to develop diverticulitis. It commonly occurs. Trusted Source. in men under 50 and women ages 50 to 70. But people who develop diverticula at a younger age may be more likely to experience diverticulitis.

What is the condition where a pouch forms in the colon?

Causes of diverticulitis. Diverticular disease develops when pouches form along your digestive tract, typically in your colon (large intestine). These pouches are known as diverticula. They form when weak spots in your intestinal wall balloon outward.

What is the name of the condition where the diverticula grows?

As they grow, they can cause symptoms or complications such as: If the diverticula become inflamed, it’s known as esophageal diverticulitis. To treat esophageal diverticulitis, your doctor might prescribe antibiotics and pain medications. To repair the diverticula, they might recommend surgery.

What is the most serious type of diverticular disease?

The most serious type of diverticular disease is diverticulitis. It can cause uncomfortable symptoms and, in some cases, serious complications. If left untreated, these complications can cause long-term health problems.

How do you know if you have diverticulitis?

bloating. diarrhea. constipation. If you develop diverticulitis, you might experience: constant or severe pain in your abdomen. nausea and vomiting. fever and chills.

Why does diverticulitis start?

Again, scientists aren’t sure what causes diverticulitis, but they think the infection starts due to the bacteria in stool that gets pushed into the diverticula. Another theory is that the walls of the diverticula itself erode from the increased pressure on the colon walls.

What antibiotics are prescribed for diverticulitis?

If your diverticulitis is mild, your healthcare provider will prescribe an oral antibiotic, such as metronidazole (Flagyl®), trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (Bactrim®), ciprofloxacin (Cipro®) or amoxicillin and clavulanic acid (Augmentin®).

What is the name of the disease that occurs in the large intestine?

Diverticulosis and diverticulitis are two conditions that occur in your large intestine (also called your colon). Together they are known as diverticular disease. Both share the common feature of diverticula. Diverticula are one or more pockets or bulges that form in the wall of your colon.

How long does it take for diverticulitis to heal?

Most people who have diverticulitis will recover with about a seven to 10-day course of antibiotics and rest. Severe complication of diverticulitis occur in about the following percent of people: perforation of the colon (1% to 2% of patients), obstruction (rare), fistula (14%) or abscess (30%).

What is the difference between diverticulosis and diverticulitis?

Diverticulosis is “the presence of” and diverticulitis is “inflammation and infection of” one or more diverticula (bulges in your colon wall). Diverticulosis is common , doesn’t cause symptoms or need treatment . Mild diverticulitis is treated with antibiotics. Surgery is needed if problems develop. A high fiber diet, exercise and drinking lots of water can help prevent.

Why does my colon have bubbles?

The increase in pressure from too much air being pumped into the inner tube causes the bubble to form where the rubber is the weakest. Similarly, an increase in pressure inside the colon causes pockets or bulges (diverticula) to form in weakened areas of your colon’s walls.

Where is diverticulitis most common?

If the affected area of your colon is removed, another surgery is usually not needed. The most common location for diverticulitis is the sigmoid colon, which is the S-shaped near end portion of your colon. Although this is the most common location, it’s possible for diverticula to form in other areas of your colon.

What is the best treatment for diverticulosis?

Treatment for diverticulosis may include: High-fiber diet. Fiber supplements. Medicines. Mesalazine ( Asacol ) Rifaximin ( Xifaxan ) Probiotics.

Why do people get diverticulosis?

The main cause of diverticulosis in Western countries is thought to be due to a high-fat and low-fiber diet . Other possible causes of diverticulosis include: Straining to have a bowel movement from constipation. Genetics. Obesity.

What is the best diet for diverticular disease?

Diverticular disease can be due to a low fiber diet, so consumption of a high fiber diet with plenty of vegetables and fruits, whole grains, and other high fiber foods is the mainstay of prevention.

What are the complications of diverticulosis?

Complications of diverticulosis (if it becomes inflamed and diverticulitis occurs) may include: Abscess (most common complication) Intestinal perforation. Generalized peritonitis (inflammation of the tissue that lines the wall of the abdomen) Intestinal fistula. Intestinal obstruction.

What causes diverticulosis in the intestinal wall?

A high-fat, low-fiber diet is the main culprit in diverticulosis, or the formation and periodic inflammation of out-pouchings in the intestinal wall. Genetics and low physical activity levels may also play a role.

How to treat diverticular bleeding?

Treatment for diverticular bleeding may include: Colonoscopy to find the bleeding and stop it. Computerized tomography (CT) scan or an angiogram to find the bleeding site. Colon resection surgery in severe cases.

What is the term for a small pouch in the colon that pushes through the colon?

Diverticulosis is a form of diverticular disease, which occurs when small pouches in the large intestinal (colonic) wall called diverticula arise and push through weak spots in the colon ’s outer muscle layers. Diverticular disease that is not inflamed is called diverticulosis.

Overview

Symptoms

Causes

Risk Factors

Complications

Prevention