Diverticulitis is a complication of diverticulosis, wherein the small pouches that can form along the intestinal lining (i.e. the diverticula) become infected or inflamed. This may be due to an infection or mechanical obstruction of the diverticula and can result in lower abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, fever, rectal bleeding, blood in stool, or even a tear in the gastrointestinal tract that requires immediate medical attention
In many patients, lingering symptoms of lower abdominal pain, bloatedness, and changes in bowel habits may persist after an acute diverticulitis episode, with a chronic or a relapsing on-and-off pattern. These symptoms are called SUDD (Symptomatic Uncomplicated Diverticular Disease) and are often compared to those of IBS. A medical professional will be required to differentiate between the two conditions.
Current Treatments for Diverticulitis
While diverticulitis treatments vary according to the severity of the condition and rate of occurrence, there are several tried-and-true options.
Home Treatments
After receiving a medical diagnosis of diverticulitis, patients can try several home treatments with the express oversight of a doctor.
A liquid diet allows the digestive tract and bowels to rest, which may ease abdominal pain on its own and reduce nausea and vomiting with the lack of material to digest.
Doctors and nutritionists also recommend consuming less fiber than usual to slow bowel movements and reduce pain during an acute episode. Your doctor may also prescribe antibiotics and pain medication for any lingering infection and recurrent abdominal pain.
Patients treating diverticulitis at home should avoid NSAIDs or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen to control pain, as these can worsen symptoms or increase the risk of complications like perforation.
Antibiotics
Where home treatment for diverticulitis fails, hospital stays might be necessary to manage symptoms. Your medical provider will distill antibiotics through an IV directly to the bloodstream, delivering medication more effectively than a capsule.
Endoscopy
There are different types of endoscopic procedures, like colonoscopies and sigmoidoscopies (or colonoscopy). These procedures help ascertain the diagnosis and rule out other causes of abdominal pain in patients who have suffered a diverticulitis attack or suffer chronic symptoms.
Surgery
The most common type of surgery for severe diverticulitis is bowel resection, where a part of the bowel will be removed. In cases where the inflamed section of the bowel is smaller, the surgeon may remove the inflamed section and attach healthy tissues from above and below the resection to allow the patient to pass movements normally.
Sometimes in very severe diverticulitis attacks with perforation and spillage of content into the abdomen, the colon is removed and a stoma, or small external pouch, is put around the end of the small intestine or the colon. This allows the patient to pass movements and change the bag as needed. Reversible options are available, depending on the severity of the diverticulitis.
Natural Treatments for Diverticulitis & SUDD
Curcumin is the active compound extracted from turmeric root, known in the medical world for its potent anti-inflammatory properties.
Curcumin has been found in studies to alleviate mucosal inflammation by inhibiting tumor necrosis factor-alpha, an inflammatory marker found in high levels in patients with diverticulitis. Additionally, curcumin reduces intestinal permeability by improving tight junction disruption and gut bacteria unbalance. This may benefit diverticulitis patients as both tight junction disruption and gut bacteria imbalance are implicated in the pathogenesis of diverticulitis and even more so in SUDD chronic symptoms.
Another promising natural treatment is Berberine, which has been used for thousands of years in Traditional Chinese Medicine due to its anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory effect on the gut.
The compound is a natural anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial agent with the ability to help fortify the intestinal walls by increasing the production of butyrate, an important short-chain fatty acid for intestinal health. Butyrate may additionally benefit diverticulitis patients as it regulates the intestinal environment and has even been found in human trials to lower the recurrence of diverticulitis.
Berberine and curcumin are currently undergoing investigation in clinical trials for the treatment of Post-Diverticulitis Syndrome (SUDD), meaning the lingering IBS-like digestive symptoms that don’t resolve after an acute episode of diverticulitis.
If you’re interested in trying Curcumin and Berberine for Post-Diverticulitis Syndrome (SUDD), simply take our free online assessment to find your tailored program.
Lifestyle & Dietary Recommendations
As diverticulitis affects the gut, eating well and avoiding foods that are irritants can help maintain remission. Staying away from caffeine and alcohol, and ensuring adequate nutritional goals are being met are good places to start. In addition to diet, exercise is both beneficial for physical health and reducing stress in the body, which aids digestive health.
Summer Pitocchelli-Schwartzman
