Treatment

People with asymptomatic diverticula do not require any specific treatment. They are advised to eat a balanced diet with adequate fibre and roughage.

People who experience recurrent abdominal pain, flatulence, and constipation are also encouraged to eat a suitable diet and maintain fluid intake. Laxatives and faecal bulking agents (isphagula) are prescribed to encourage regular bowel habit. Mild analgesics and anti spasmodic drugs (e.g. mebeverine) may be taken to alleviate pain.

Episodes of acute diverticulitis are treated with antibiotics, fluids, restriction of food and bed rest. Symptoms tend to resolve after a few days. Some people, in particular the elderly, may be admitted to a hospital for a short stay, if the episode of inflammation does not respond readily to treatment.

Complications result in hospital admission for treatment, and some may require surgery. Operations may be necessary to drain an abscess, relieve obstruction or repair a perforation. Surgery may entail removal of a diseased section of bowel and creation of a colostomy.

Further operation may be necessary after the urgent complications have been treated, to restore continuity of the bowel, excise more diseased sections, repair other organs (fistulas) and treat recurrent bleeding. Some people may be left with a permanent colostomy, but in others continuity of the bowel can be restored and the colostomy closed.

Amended April 2008