Diverticulitis results from an inflammation of diverticula, small pouches in your digestive tract that commonly develop after the age of 40, according to MayoClinic.com. The pouches rarely affect your health, however, you might experience diverticulitis in a mild or severe form when they do. Symptoms include abdominal pain, fever, nausea and a change in your bowel movements. Treating the symptoms can relieve you of your discomfort and prevent future attacks from occurring.
Step 1
Consume a liquid diet. In mild cases of diverticulitis, a liquid diet decreases the number of bowel movements you have, which allows the infection to heal. MayoClinic.com explains this process usually takes three days. Always speak to your doctor before treating your condition.
Step 2
Take medications as your doctor prescribes. In cases of mild infections, your doctor typically prescribes antibiotics to kill the infection causing it. Take this medication until it is gone; otherwise, the infection can return.
Step 3
Increase your fiber intake. High-fiber diets help prevent diverticulitis attacks, according to Gloria Tsang, R.D. of HealthCastle.com. Foods high in fiber soften waste in your body, helping it move more easily and quickly through your colon. Focus on fruits, vegetables and whole grains; your daily fiber intake should be 20 to 35 g per day, according to MayoClinic.com. Gradually add fiber back into your diet after an infection to prevent bloating, abdominal pain and gas.
Step 4
Increase your water intake. Both MayoClinic.com and Gloria Tsang recommend drinking plenty of water when increasing your fiber intake. Fiber requires water to work properly and absorbs it to increase the waste in your colon. Because fiber absorbs so much water, you can become constipated if you do not drink enough to replace what the fiber is using.
Step 5
Talk to your doctor about surgery. Surgery is necessary when you have frequent symptoms of diverticulitis or do not respond to antibiotics, according to the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse. The surgeon removes the diseased area of your colon, preventing future diverticulitis and the complications resulting from it.
Things You'll Need
- Antibiotics
