Diverticulitis what is it

Once the symptoms have gone, you can return to a higher-fibre diet, aiming to eat about 30g of fibre a day. Diverticulitis can usually be treated at home with antibiotics prescribed by a GP. You can take paracetamol to help relieve any pain.

Talk to a GP if paracetamol alone is not working. In hospital, you'll probably get injections of antibiotics, and be kept hydrated and nourished using a tube directly connected to your vein intravenous drip. You may also be prescribed a stronger painkiller if paracetamol is not helping. In rare cases, surgery may be needed to treat serious complications of diverticulitis.

Surgery usually involves removing the affected section of your large intestine. This is known as a colectomy. This is the treatment for rare complications such as fistulas , peritonitis or a blockage in your intestines. After a colectomy, you may have a temporary or permanent colostomy , where one end of your bowel is diverted through an opening in your tummy.

The most common complication of diverticulitis is developing abscesses. These are usually treated with a technique known as percutaneous drainage, which is done by a radiologist. If surgery is being considered, your doctor should discuss the benefits and the risks very carefully with you. It's not known exactly why some people get diverticular disease, but it seems to be linked to age, diet and lifestyle, and genetics.

As you get older, the walls of your large intestine become weaker and the pressure of hard stools passing through your intestines can cause diverticula to form. The majority of people will have some diverticula by the time they're 80 years old. 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.

You're more likely to develop diverticula if you have a close relative with diverticular disease, especially if they developed it before they were Page last reviewed: 29 September Next review due: 29 September Diverticular disease and diverticulitis. When there are no symptoms, it is called diverticulosis. Symptoms of diverticular disease and diverticulitis Symptoms of diverticular disease include: tummy pain, usually in your lower left side, that tends to come and go and gets worse during or shortly after eating pooing or farting eases it constipation , diarrhoea , or both occasionally, blood in your poo If your diverticula become infected and inflamed diverticulitis , you may suddenly: get constant, more severe tummy pain have a high temperature have diarrhoea or constipation get mucus or blood in your poo, or bleeding from your bottom rectal bleeding When to get medical advice Contact a GP as soon as possible if you have symptoms of diverticular disease or diverticulitis.

Tests for diverticular disease and diverticulitis After taking your medical history and listening to your symptoms, the GP may first want to rule out other conditions, such as irritable bowel syndrome IBS , coeliac disease or bowel cancer. A blood test is useful because if it reveals a high number of white blood cells, it probably means there is an infection.

However, many people without a high number of white blood cells may still have diverticulitis. People who have no history of diverticular disease will need additional tests.

Other conditions can have similar symptoms, such as a hernia or gallstones. A computer tomography CT scan may be used and is often the most helpful. A barium enema X-ray may also be useful.

If symptoms are severe, the CT scan may tell whether the infection has spread to another part of the body, or whether there is an abscess. Most people can self-treat their diverticular disease if it is mild, mainly with the help of painkillers and by consuming more dietary fiber. Painkillers such as aspirin or ibuprofen should be avoided as they increase the risk of internal bleeding, and may also upset the stomach.

Acetaminophen is recommended for pain relief from diverticular disease. Acetaminophen is available for purchase over the counter or online. Eating more dietary fiber, which includes fruits and vegetables, will help resolve the symptoms by softening stool and helping stool patterns become more regular.

This may sometimes take a few weeks. Bulk-forming laxatives may help those who have constipation. It is important to drink plenty of fluids with these medications. Mild cases of diverticulitis can generally be treated by the individual. However, a doctor may prescribe antibiotics , as well as acetaminophen for the pain.

Some people may experience drowsiness, nausea, diarrhea, and vomiting while they are taking their antibiotics. Antibiotics include ciprofloxacin Cipro , metronidazole Flagyl , cephalexin Keflex and doxycycline Vibramycin. For those on the contraceptive pill, it is important to remember that antibiotics can interfere with its effectiveness. This effect on the contraceptive pill continues for about 7 days after stopping the antibiotic, so another form of contraception should overlap with this time.

Hospital patients are generally given antibiotics intravenously IV , as well as fluids if they are dehydrated. People who have at least two diverticulitis episodes may benefit from surgery. Studies indicate that such patients are significantly more likely to have further episodes and complications if they do not have surgery. A colon resection removes part of the affected colon and joins the remaining healthy parts together.

Patients who undergo colon resection will have to introduce solid foods into their system gradually. Apart from this, their normal bowel functions will not usually be affected. Peritonitis: Infection may spread into the lining of the abdomen if one of the infected diverticula bursts. Peritonitis is serious and can sometimes be fatal.

It requires immediate antibiotic treatment. Some cases of peritonitis require surgery. Abscess: This is a pus-filled cavity that requires antibiotics. Sometimes, surgery is required to get the pus out. Fistula: These are abnormal tunnels, or tubes, that connect two parts of the body, such as the intestine to the abdominal wall or the bladder. A fistula can be formed after infected tissues touch each other and stick together; when the infection is over, a fistula forms.

Often, surgery is needed to get rid of a fistula. Intestinal obstruction: The colon may become partly or totally blocked if infection has caused scarring. If the colon is blocked completely, emergency medical intervention is needed.

Total blockage will lead to peritonitis. If the colon is partially blocked, they will need treatment. However, it is not as urgent as total blockage. Depending on the degree of scarring and the extent of blockage, a colon resection may be needed. Sometimes, a colostomy may be required.

You may also have fever, nausea, vomiting, chills, cramping, and constipation. In serious cases, diverticulitis can lead to bleeding, tears, or blockages. Your doctor will do a physical exam and imaging tests to diagnose it. Treatment may include antibiotics, pain relievers, and a liquid diet. A serious case may require a hospital stay or surgery.

The information on this site should not be used as a substitute for professional medical care or advice. Contact a health care provider if you have questions about your health. Diverticulosis and Diverticulitis Also called: Diverticular disease. Learn More Living With Specifics. See, Play and Learn No links available. Research Clinical Trials Journal Articles.