Remedies for Diverticulitis

Diverticulitis is a disease of the colon. It represents the complication of an anatomical defect called diverticulosis, characterized by the formation of multiple intestinal diverticula.
Diverticula are pockets that form inside the colon. These invaginations (which can also affect other districts of the digestive tract) consist of the recess of the mucosa, the serosa and sometimes the muscular layer. The introflexion sites are mainly the passage orifices. of blood vessels.

When diverticula become infected / inflamed it is called diverticulitis.
The causes of diverticulosis and diverticulitis are not entirely clear. It is hypothesized that they have a genetic basis emphasized by some behavioral factors (diet and comorbidities).

(relapsing diverticulitis affecting many diverticula).

Recognize the Symptoms: Diverticulitis is not an easily recognizable condition. It occurs very frequently in people with irritable bowel (SCI), and the symptoms of mild diverticulitis can be easily confused:

Abdominal discomfort, pain or cramps after eating.

They occur mainly after eating certain foods.

Meteorism and flatulence.
Diarrhea or constipation.
Pain localized on the left side.
In severe cases:

Fever.
More intense pains.
Bleeding complications.

NB: Diverticula and diverticulosis are asymptomatic.

Contact your doctor or gastroenterologist for an accurate diagnosis and treatment. After a "physical examination, they will order tests to confirm the suspicion of diverticulitis:

Abdominal ultrasound.
Computed tomography.
Colonoscopy.

NB: The therapy of diverticulitis is aimed at reducing the possibility of acuteness or possibly at treating them. However, the diverticula cannot be eliminated and remain in the intestine for the entire life of the subject.

First of all it is essential to stop smoking, drinking alcohol and possibly exposing yourself to toxic substances (of any kind).
Particular attention should be paid to chewing, to avoid leaving indigestible solid pieces in the colon.
The remedies for diverticulitis can be differentiated into:

Diet and drug therapy for diverticulosis, diverticulitis prevention and mild infection.
Diet and drug therapy for severe diverticulitis.
Surgery for severe diverticulitis and complications (e.g. diverticular abscess, perforation and peritonitis).

Follow an improper diet.

Sedentary lifestyle.

Abuse of irritating laxatives.

Abusing food / drink or other harmful substances.

Not chewing properly.

Ignore drug therapy.

soluble products: peeled vegetables and fruit, shelled legumes, non-whole grains and pseudocereals, algae.
NB: A recent study denies the correlation between higher fiber consumption and lower incidence of diverticulitis. Nonetheless, constipation remains the main risk factor in the formation of acquired diverticula.

Well hydrated foods: all fresh ones, possibly raw (especially fruit and vegetables).

Fully chewable foods or foods with little solid residue: the entry of organic material inside the diverticula can be a reason for bacterial proliferation and infection.

Probiotic foods: these are those rich in lactobacilli, bifidobacteria and eubacteria, which represent real "reinforcement colonies" for the intestinal bacterial flora. Some examples are: yogurt, kefir, buttermilk, tofu, tempeh, miso, gherkins, sauerkraut.

Lean foods: the fatty portion of the diet must consist of cold-pressed vegetable oils (for example extra virgin olive oil). Among the meats and fish we recommend: chicken, turkey, veal, pork loin, cod, plaice, sea bass, sea bream etc.

In case of severe diverticulitis, it is advisable to prefer:

Liquid foods, free of any fixed residue.

NB: Artificial nutrition will follow after surgery.

Coffee, tea, cocoa, ginseng and energy drinks: all rich in xanthines.

Carbonated and / or acidic drinks.

Non-chewable foods or foods with excessive solid residue: dried fruit (walnuts, almonds, etc.), seeds of sweet fruit (grapes, pomegranates, etc.), totally indigestible vegetable peel (aubergines, tomatoes, etc.).

Large portions of milk, especially if not completely tolerated.

Spices and spicy foods: pepper, chili, excess garlic and onion, ginger, horseradish, certain cheeses and cured meats.

Excessively fatty foods, especially with poor quality lipids: these are junk foods such as snacks, fast-food, sweets, etc.

NB: It is not advisable to eliminate fats from the diet as they have a lubricating effect in the intestine, facilitating evacuation and preventing constipation.

and supplements:

Plants or laxative extracts based on soluble fiber (NOT irritating):

Psyllium seeds and extracted fiber.
Amorphophallus konjac and glucomannans extracts.
Gums: Guar, karaya etc.
Mucilage: for example agar agar.

Probiotic supplements.
Supplements of anti-inflammatory and antioxidant molecules: the correlation with diverticulitis is unknown, but they could help reduce inflammation: omega 3, polyphenolic antioxidants, vitamin antioxidants (A, C, E) and mineral antioxidants (zinc and selenium).

non-absorbable in the intestine: they act in the colon without entering the circulation.

Acute phase drug therapy:

Systemic antibiotics:

Ciprofloxacin (e.g. Ciprofloxac, Samper, Ciproxin, Kinox).
Metronidazole (e.g. Metronid, Deflamon, Flagyl).
Clindamycin (e.g. Dalacin-T, Clindamycin BIN, Zindaclin, Dalacin-C).
Drug combinations such as Sulfamethoxazole / Trimethoprim (e.g. Bactrim).

Probiotics: for example Enterogermina.
Non-steroidal analgesics: they are not always recommended because they can induce constipation, delay the onset of symptoms and therapy: