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The treatment of diverticulitis depends on the severity of your symptoms. Some people may need to be in the hospital, but usually you can treat this problem at home.
To help with the pain, your doctor may suggest that you:
The doctor may treat you with antibiotics.
After you are better, your doctor will suggest that you add more fiber to your diet and avoid certain foods. Eating more fiber can help prevent future attacks. If you have bloating or gas, reduce the amount of fiber you eat for a few days.
Once these pouches have formed, you will have them for life. If you make a few simple changes in your lifestyle, you may not have diverticulitis again.
Some foods can make your symptoms worse:
Usually, this is a mild condition that responds well to treatment. Some people will have more than one attack of diverticulitis.
More serious problems that may develop are:
Call your health care provider if symptoms of diverticulitis occur.
Also call if you have diverticulitis and:
Fox JM, Stollman NH. Diverticular disease of the colon. In: Feldman M, Friedman LS, Brandt LJ, eds. Sleisenger and Fordtran's Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease. 9th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier;2010:chap 117.
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