Treatment of Diverticular Disease

In many instances, diverticular disease exists without any symptoms and usually no treatment is needed. It is ideal however those individuals follow up an optimal and fiber rich diet to ensure that remain free of symptoms or other complications. In the case of symptoms, the primary form of treatment for diverticulosis is the adoption of better eating habits. However, in some cases of diverticular disease medicinal drugs or surgery may be required.

For an individuals who develops the active form of diverticular disease; diverticulitis, treatment may include antibiotics and pain killers. If symptoms and/or complication become serious, an individual may require hospital care. In hospital treatment involves change of diet, appropriate antibiotics and surgery as the final option especially for those individuals who have suffered from repeating diverticulitis. Surgery in general involves removal of certain parts of the colon or bowel. It is usually suggested to patients who had several reoccurrences of diverticulitis, in cases of a perforation or in the more serious peritonitis case.

Surgery is generally involves a two stage operation. The first stage of the operation aims to take away the pathological part of the colon or bowl and clean the local abdominal area. During the operation rejoining of the colon is postponed since there is a high risk of infection developing or a bowel blockage. Instead the surgeons divert the patient’s fecal matter path by colostomy.

Colostomy is an opening created to the outside of the abdomen by a cut into the colon to divert intestinal contents or faeces to a bag. After some time has passed and any risk of infection of the colon is removed, the colon is reattached and normal bowel function is enabled. The area of the abdomen where an artificial opening called the stoma was created is then surgically closed.

Many people with diverticular disease have no symptoms and require no treatment. Generally, in diverticular disease increasing the amount of dietary fiber it may all is needed to prevent or treat symptoms of diverticulosis and in turn prevent complications such as diverticulitis (active phase). Adequate daily intake of fiber to keep stools soft and minimizes pressure inside the colon and bowel it is very important. While medication it may be necessary at times as part of the treatment for diverticular problems, many medications may have an undesirable side effect for individuals with diverticulosis – difficulty in emptying of the colon.

Treatment for diverticular disease
Performing surgery for diverticular problems in a no crisis situation tends to be safer than performing emergency surgery. Treatments for diverticular disease includes: high-fiber diet, antibiotics, bed rest, liquid diet, pain relief, hospitalization, percutaneous drainage, colon surgery, colon resection, and colostomy.

Treatment for diverticular disease is generally based on age, overall health, medical history, extent of the disease and tolerance to medications or procedures. Treatment for diverticular disease is required if symptoms develop.

diverticular disease management

The information, suggestions, and research described herein are intended to be purely educational. They are not intended to replace the services and advice of your physician. Read more….