Diverticulitis is an inflammation or infection in the digestive tract. Diverticula are small pouches that form in the digestive system and are often found in the large intestine. The formation of diverticula results in diverticulosis. Inflammation and infection of the diverticula results in diverticulitis. Symptoms include nausea, severe abdominal pain and issues with bowel movements. Treatment depends on the severity of symptoms and the frequency of attacks.
Home Care
The first step of at-home treatment for diverticulitis is rest. A doctor will likely prescribe antibiotics to fight the bacteria causing the infection. For the first few days, the patient should follow a liquid diet to allow the bowels to recover. Once solid food can be tolerated, a patient should follow a low-fiber diet. Avoiding fruits, vegetables and whole grains is necessary to allow the colon to heal. As symptoms improve, high-fiber foods may gradually be added into the diet.
Hospitalization
According to the Mayo Clinic, approximately half of those suffering from diverticulitis require hospitalization and may need intravenous antibiotics. Reasons for hospitalization include fever greater than 100 degrees, vomiting, elevated white blood cell count and possible bowel obstruction. During a hospital stay, doctors will perform tests to determine if the inflammation is severe enough to require further medical treatment such as surgery.
Surgery
There are two main surgical treatments for diverticulitis. The first is a primary bowel resection, also known as sigmoid resection. A surgeon removes the infected part of the intestine and reconnects the healthy parts. The surgery can be done traditionally or laparoscopically. Laparoscopic surgery uses a smaller incision and typically results in faster recovery. A patient will have normal functioning bowels post-surgery.
The second surgical treatment is a bowel resection with colostomy. This is a result of severe inflammation and inhibits a healthy reconnection of the colon and rectum. A surgeon makes an incision in the abdominal wall and brings the colon out through the opening. This allows waste to pass into a bag. Usually, the colostomy is temporary and reversed when the inflammation and infection resolves. A second operation may be performed to reconnect the colon and rectum.
