How to Treat Diverticulitis

Co-authored by Peter Gardner, MD

Last Updated: October 29, 2024 Approved

Diverticulitis is caused by inflammation and infection of small pouches (diverticula) in the digestive tract and most often occurs in people older than 40. Pouch formation can lead to a serious infection that needs prompt medical attention. Treatment for diverticulitis can vary and depends on the severity and number of times it has occurred. Symptoms of diverticulitis include abdominal pain, cramping, rectal bleeding, fever, nausea, and changes in bowel movements.

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Treating an Episode of Diverticulitis

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Consume a liquid, low-fiber diet. One of the possible causes of diverticulitis is the consumption of small, inadequately chewed and difficult-to-digest foods like seeds, corn, and berries. These get caught in the diverticula of the intestine and feed a bacterial colony, sometimes causing infection. If experiencing an episode of diverticulitis, it is best to avoid any foods which might worsen the infection. This means avoiding fiber (which pushes more waste into the infected area) and avoiding the aforementioned difficult-to-digest foods.^{[1]
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- When the diverticulitis episode is over, you should greatly increase your dietary fiber intake.
- Try not to consume too much dairy during this time.
Visit your doctor to get a prescription for antibiotics. Diverticulitis occurs when the diverticula (small pockets in the colon) become infected. This can only fully be treated with antibiotics, or else the infection will continue to spread. Follow the package directions with your antibiotics; they typically involve taking a pill orally at least once a day, but this will vary depending on your prescription.^{[2]
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Most people suffering from diverticulitis experience abdominal pain and cramping. Although this won’t go away until the infection clears up, you can take pain medication to help reduce the pain in the meantime. Look for ibuprofen, acetaminophen, or naproxen in low doses so that you can take a bit whenever you experience a flare-up of pain.
Some people have claimed that certain herbs expedite the healing process involved in ridding your body of infection, and also help to reduce any pain or discomfort you may be feeling. Look for teas or supplements containing chamomile or slippery elm, two herbs commonly used for stomach problems. If nothing else, drinking a hot glass of tea is soothing and can ease any cramping you’re experiencing in your stomach.
Although it may sound strange to any non-acupuncturists, acupuncture can help relieve certain pressure points that cause pain or pressure in your abdomen. Find a local acupuncturist and see what they can do for your diverticulitis. Although this won’t help to heal the infection at all, it should make you more comfortable.
Hydrotherapy is pretty straightforward - it involves using water as a means of treating your discomfort. There are a few different hydrotherapy techniques you can try at home. Take a warm bath with Epsom salts, or use a hot water compress on your abdomen to loosen up the muscles and reduce your pain.^{[3]
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Apply a heating pad to your abdomen. A heating pad can also help alleviate pain caused by an episode of diverticulitis. Try lying down with the heating pad on your abdomen until the pain subsides.
- Be careful not to fall asleep with the heating pad on.
8
Try using some relaxation techniques. Relaxation techniques can help make the pain you're feeling more manageable. A couple relaxation techniques you can try are:
- Meditation. Find a quiet, comfortable place to sit and meditate for 15 minutes.
- Deep breathing. Lie down somewhere quiet and comfortable and take slow, deep breaths while focusing on your breathing.

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Understanding Possible Complications

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If you experience a bout of diverticulitis without antibiotic treatment, the infection may spread into a pustule or abscess. Typically, you’ll experience more extreme pain, a high fever, and a high white blood cell count. Treatment for a diverticulitis episode turned abscess is a catheter that is inserted through the stomach into the abscess, which drains the abscess over several days.^{[4]
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If you do end up getting an abscess that doesn’t get treated, the next infection level is peritonitis. This is when the infection/abscess spreads from beyond the pustule to encompass the entire lower portion of the large intestine. Typically, people with peritonitis will experience a high fever, illness with vomiting, abdominal pain, and low blood pressure. The only treatment is a course of vigorous antibiotics and surgery to remove the infected portion of intestine.^{[5]
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If you have a bad case of diverticulitis, one possibility is that instead of the infection spreading to a larger portion of your colon, it could spread to adjacent areas of your body such as your bladder or skin. This has similar symptoms to peritonitis, but can only be identified and treated by a doctor. Treatment involves antibiotics at least, but often surgery as well.^{[6]
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This is one of the rarer side-effects of diverticulitis; if you experience the infection which goes untreated, scar tissue may form and narrow a portion of the colon. This narrowing is called a ‘stricture’, and can prevent waste from passing through. The treatment for stricture formation is typically surgical, depending on the scope of the problem.^{[7]
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Preventing Diverticulitis

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Eat a high-fiber diet. If you consume dietary fiber on a daily basis, your body will be able to push waste through your colon in an efficient manner, preventing it from building up in the small diverticulos sacs that develop. Fruits and vegetables are both very high in dietary fiber, along with beans, whole grains, and brown rice. These foods all have other natural benefits beyond preventing diverticulitis, making them helpful to add to your diet anyway.^{[8]
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- Don’t begin eating fiber until after you’ve recovered from an episode of diverticulitis.
Because the infection that causes diverticulitis is a result of harmful bodily bacteria, some doctors have theorized that eating more healthy bacteria (probiotics) can cleanse your colon and prevent an infection. Probiotics are typically found as live cultures in certain types of yogurt and help to cleanse your stomach and intestines of harmful bacteria, making you feel better when consumed on a regular basis.^{[9]
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Water and other fluids, when consumed on a regular basis, have a hugely positive effect on nearly every aspect of your body’s functioning. Aim to drink 8 glasses of water per day, as this will cleanse out harmful bacteria and help provide energy to your body .
Once you’ve been diagnosed with diverticular disease, you should monitor your colon to help prevent future episodes. This can also help to prevent more serious side effects from occurring (see the aforementioned). Aim to visit your doctor about two months after your first episode, and look into getting a colonoscopy or barium enema x-ray. These will both be able to show any issues that might occur, allowing you to seek treatment before it’s too late.
Healthy bowel habits can help prevent diverticulitis. Try to eat at the same times every day, and make sure you're drinking enough water. Also, avoid straining yourself during bowel movements or using enemas and laxatives, unless directed otherwise by your doctor.

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What are the side effects of diverticulitis?

Marsha Durkin, RN
Registered Nurse
Marsha Durkin is a Registered Nurse based in Waukegan, Illinois. With over 15 years of professional experience, she works both as a nurse and a Laboratory Information Specialist for Insight Hospital and Medical Center. Marsha received her Associate's Degree in Nursing from Olney Central College in 1987.

Marsha Durkin, RN

Registered Nurse

Expert Answer

The side effects of diverticulitis include abdominal pain, nausea, cramping, fever, rectal bleeding, and bowel changes.

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What happens if diverticulitis is left untreated? I haven't gone to the bathroom in 3 days, and I've been diagnosed with diverticulitis. I'm in pain.

Marsha Durkin, RN
Registered Nurse
Marsha Durkin is a Registered Nurse based in Waukegan, Illinois. With over 15 years of professional experience, she works both as a nurse and a Laboratory Information Specialist for Insight Hospital and Medical Center. Marsha received her Associate's Degree in Nursing from Olney Central College in 1987.

Marsha Durkin, RN

Registered Nurse

Expert Answer

You need to be seen by a doctor ASAP. Call your doctor, or go to an ambulatory clinic or ER if you are in pain.

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How can I lower a fever caused by diverticulitis?

Marsha Durkin, RN
Registered Nurse
Marsha Durkin is a Registered Nurse based in Waukegan, Illinois. With over 15 years of professional experience, she works both as a nurse and a Laboratory Information Specialist for Insight Hospital and Medical Center. Marsha received her Associate's Degree in Nursing from Olney Central College in 1987.

Marsha Durkin, RN

Registered Nurse

Expert Answer

You can lower a fever caused by diverticulitis by taking an antipyretic medication like Tylenol.

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Tips

Doctors used to believe that avoiding seeds and nuts can help prevent a recurrence of diverticulitis. Further research has proved these foods do not increase your risk.^{[10]
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Peter Gardner, MD
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Expert Interview. 25 August 2020.}

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Warnings

Always seek help from a doctor if you experience unusual stomach pain or cramping, as this could be a symptom of diverticulitis or a more serious disease.

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