Treatment for acute diverticulitis is done with a liquid diet or fasting, in addition to using antibiotics, such as Metronidazole and Ciprofloxacin, to decrease inflammation and infection in the large intestine.
This treatment may even be performed at home, however, when there is a complicated crisis of diverticulitis, with abscess formation, fistula, or bowel obstruction, for example, drainage of secretion or withdrawal surgery may be necessary. part of the intestine, by the general surgeon or coloproctologist.
Diverticulitis is characterized by inflammation of the diverticula, which are small pockets that form in the bowel, which is diverticulosis, usually due to poor fiber feeding and constipation. This inflammation can cause symptoms such as pain in the abdomen, nausea, vomiting, fever, constipation or diarrhea. Learn more about what causes and how to identify diverticulitis.
How to treat uncomplicated diverticulitis
To treat uncomplicated acute diverticulitis, it is necessary to disinflate the bowel, perform fasting or have a liquid diet and no residue. The antibiotic is also usually needed, Metronidazole and Ciprofloxacin for 7 to 10 days as they are effective in controlling infection by intestinal bacteria.
When the symptoms are not very intense and there is no suspicion of a complicated diverticulitis treatment can be done at home with pills in tablet. In addition to the antibiotic, the doctor can guide the use of medicines for nausea, such as Metoclopramide and for abdominal pain, such as Hyoscine and Dipirone, for example.
The doctor will also schedule a reassessment after about 5 days, however, if symptoms such as fever and belly pain get worse or become very intense during treatment, it is necessary to go to the emergency room.
How to treat complicated diverticulitis
Complicated acute diverticulitis is treated in the hospital, with the use of antibiotics in the vein, and a surgical procedure may be necessary. In case of an abscess, the surgeon can drain the accumulated secretion through a puncture.
In more severe situations, with large abscesses, fistula, severe bleeding, perforation or intestinal obstruction, for example, surgery may be necessary to remove the inflamed part of the intestine.
The complications of diverticulitis usually happen when it is delayed to start treatment or when it is done incorrectly. Some people may not feel intense symptoms, as can happen with older people, which hinders diagnosis and initiation of treatment.
When surgery is indicated
Surgery to remove part of the colon due to diverticulitis is indicated in cases of:
- Acute complicated diverticulitis;
- Recurrent diverticulitis, that is, that happens more than once in the same person;
- Diverticulitis in people with weakened immunity, such as transplant patients, people with HIV or kidney failure, for example, because new infections can put their lives at risk.
Surgery can be done by videolaparoscopy or by conventional open surgery, done in a surgical center and under general anesthesia. The time of surgery is very variable, and depends on the degree of inflammation of diverticulitis and the amount of bowel removed. Generally, the person is discharged in about 3 days and should recover at home with pain-relieving medicines such as Dipirone prescribed by the doctor and following the dietician-led diet of the hospital.
Food and natural treatment
In a picture of diverticulitis, the diet is guided by a doctor and nutritionist, because for about 3 days, it is necessary to make a liquid diet without residues, or fasting, to reduce the initial inflammation.
After treatment, the person should follow a diet that stimulates the proper functioning of the intestine, rich in whole grains, fruits, vegetables and vegetables. In this way, in addition to preventing the formation of new diverticula in the intestine, will also hamper a new inflammation.
Watch the video that foods should avoid and which ones to eat:
In addition, a great natural treatment for diverticula, but without being in a diverticulitis crisis, is to increase the consumption of probiotic foods, such as Activia yogurts, Yakult or Kefir, for example, as they protect the intestinal mucosa, regulate the intestine and strengthen the immune system.
Learn about other diet and menu options for treating and avoiding diverticulitis.
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