Diverticulitis, a condition which occurs when diverticula pouches in the colon become infected or inflamed, is treated in a variety of ways depending on the severity of the problem. For example, in typical cases, diverticulitis cures consist of resting the bowels, IV fluids resuscitation, and the use of antibiotics which treat gram-negative rod and anaerobic bacteria. Granted, if the diverticulitis is a more serious case or if complications occur, then surgery and diet change could be diverticulitis cures. Also, alternative medicine methods could be potentially used in treatment of diverticulitis.
Doctors decide on diverticulitis cures that are applicable to a particular patient based on the patient's age, medical condition, the frequency with which attacks occur, and the stage of the illness. Bowel rest for diverticulitis involves the patient not eating food for awhile until reduction of negative symptoms occurs. Intravenous (IV) fluid resuscitation involves the patient getting the necessary fluids via intravenous means. Medications used as diverticulitis cures or treatment include ciprofloxacin or metronidazole.
If a patient is going through the first diverticulitis experience, surgery may not be done. By contrast, if the diverticulitis has happened before, surgery becomes an option. Also, surgery is done in cases where complications such as abscess, peritonitis, and fistula occur. If a patient's colon has ruptured, there is infection of the abdomen cavity and emergency surgery usually is deemed essential.
Diverticulitis surgeries are done in one of two ways. Primary bowel resectioning can be done, which involves removing the ruptured or diseased aspect of the colon which then gets reconnected to healthy parts of the colon. This can be done via use of colectomy or via laparoscopy, which means there will be smaller incisions and potentially faster recovery time.
By contrast, there is bowel resectioning surgery with colostomy, which is often done in dangerous or life-threatening situations. Doctors cut an opening in the abdomen, the colostomy, and this helps in clearing away infection and reducing inflammation. Then the patient's colon is brought through an opening and waste is collected in an external bag. Colostomy is typically done on a temporary basis and in a subsequent surgery the doctor reverses the colostomy and does a rejoining of the rectum and colon. The colostomy could be permanent in severe diverticulitis cases.
After the surgery, diet change will usually be a part of the effort toward a diverticulitis cure. For instance, a patient may be told to eat a low fiber diet. Consuming a less fiber gives the colon time for heal while not being overburdened. After the colon has had time to recover, a patient may be able to consume a higher fiber diet again.
Alternative medicine methods can also be used for diverticulitis treatment. For instance, one example of an alternative medicine treatment for diverticulitis is the Cayce method, which includes treatments such as castor oil packs, colonics, mild laxatives, spinal manipulations, massage, use of atomidine to treat underactive thyroid, an alkaline diet, consumption of a liquid or semi liquid diet during periods of attacks, sufficient rest, and use of ultraviolet rays. It has been noted that at first symptoms may get worse due to the freeing of waste that has been accumulating in the body; however, with patient application of the treatments, improvement reportedly can occur.