Diverticulitis Treatments
Diverticulitis treatments vary depending on a person’s case and condition. Diverticulitis occurs when fecal matter gets trapped in the diverticula causing infection and inflammation. A diverticula are pouches formed due to the weakened lining of the intestines.
Diverticulitis can be very painful, such that diverticulitis treatments should be adhered on to prevent worsening of symptoms.
What Causes Diverticulitis?
Even doctors are not sure what the real cause of the occurrence of diverticula in the colon. However, a low-fiber diet plays a major role.
The colon needs to work harder than normal to push the stool forward if there is less fiber intake that helps add bulk to the stool. Such that the pressure form this may cause pouches to form in weak spots within the colon, overtime developing into diverticula.
If the diverticula becomes infected and inflamed, diverticulitis happens.
What are the Symptoms?
Diverticulitis symptoms may last for hours to weeks, or even more.
Symptoms may include the following:
- Lower left abdominal pain, that van be sometimes severe particularly when moving
- Fever and chills
- Abdominal bloating
- Unusual bowel movement, sometimes constipated and at times having diarrhea
- Loss of appetite
- Nausea and vomiting
What are Diverticulitis Treatments?
There are various options for diverticulitis treatments and specific treatment depends on the severity of condition. Diet may be modified, such that the person affected may be placed on a general liquid diet, and gradually return to solid food when symptoms subside.
Once infection comes out from the tests done for diverticulitis, the physician may prescribe antibiotics. This kind of medication should be taken as directed and with meals. Once started, it should be taken as planned, with the same quantity and not be stopped just because you feel better.
Mild cramps and abdominal pain are expected symptoms. For such, use a heating pad, with bearable heat, and placed on the abdomen. Make sure to take time and relax. Try slow, deep breathing exercises and meditation to help ease up anxiety.
If these diverticulitis treatments do not help much, a surgery as a choice for diverticulitis treatment may be considered. Signs and symptoms such as long-lasting pain, bowel obstruction and diverticula infection with abscess are few of the severe ones that need to undergo surgery.
One of the best diverticulitis treatments would be prevention. To prevent diverticulitis, it is essential to drink plenty of water, obtain adequate rest and eat a high-fiber diet. Diverticulitis treatments may vary from person to person depending on the case, but to prevent its occurrence would already be a great factor.
