Key Points to Know About Living with Diverticulitis

7. Treating Diverticulitis For Minor Infections

If a patient is suffering from only mild discomfort and signs of this health issue, doctors address the problem as a minor issue as well. Antibiotics are typically prescribed for patients with these symptoms as they are effective in managing and flushing the infection from the body. Since the bowels are profoundly affectedby this health issue, medical professionals recommend that patients forgo solid food in favor of only liquids for two or three days while the bowel is healing. A doctor will tell the patient when they may begin to add solids back into their diet based on the presentation of symptoms after beginning antibiotics.

8. Treating Severe Diverticulitis

While most who are suffering from diverticulitis experience a very mild version with manageable side effects and few complications, other patients have a worse time living with this condition. Some are already ill with other health issues, have a weak immune system, or a frail body. If this is the case, a doctor will recommend a more aggressive form of treatment that includes antibiotics issued intravenously in the hospital. Severely complicated infections could require patients have a tube inserted into their body to drain the infection from the pockets on the colon if they are present in a CT scan. Although both of these situations are very rare, they do happen.