Diverticulitis

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Other names for Diverticulitis

Diverticular Disease (with inflammation)
Inflamed Diverticula
Colonic Diverticulitis
Acute Diverticulitis

Synopsis of Diverticulitis

Diverticulitis is the inflammation or infection of diverticula, which are small, bulging pouches that can form in the lining of the colon (large intestine)—a condition called diverticulosis. When these pouches become clogged with waste, bacteria multiply, leading to painful inflammation or infection. Diverticulitis can cause sudden abdominal pain, usually in the lower left side, along with fever, bloating, nausea, constipation, or diarrhea.

It ranges from mild, uncomplicated cases that can be treated at home with diet and rest, to severe cases involving abscesses, perforation, or peritonitis, which may require hospitalization or surgery.

Types of Diverticulitis:

  • Uncomplicated Diverticulitis: Localized inflammation without serious complications.

  • Complicated Diverticulitis: May involve abscesses, fistulas, bowel obstruction, or perforation.

  • Chronic Diverticulitis: Recurrent inflammation or persistent symptoms between acute episodes.

Common Causes and Risk Factors:

  • Aging (risk increases significantly after age 40)

  • Low-fiber diet (leading to increased colon pressure)

  • Obesity

  • Smoking

  • Physical inactivity

  • Frequent use of NSAIDs

  • Chronic constipation

  • Gut dysbiosis (imbalanced gut microbiota)

Severity Factors:

  • Mild cases often resolve with rest and dietary changes

  • Severe or recurrent cases may require antibiotics, hospitalization, or surgery

  • Repeated inflammation can cause scar tissue, increasing risk of bowel obstruction or chronic symptoms

  • Perforated diverticula can cause life-threatening peritonitis

When to See a Doctor:

  • Sudden, severe, or persistent abdominal pain (especially lower left)

  • Fever, chills, or signs of infection

  • Nausea, vomiting, or inability to pass stool/gas

  • Blood in stool or signs of internal bleeding

  • Recurrent or chronic digestive discomfort

Natural remedies for Diverticulitis

Clear liquid diet initially: Broth, water, herbal teas, and electrolyte drinks during flare-up

Gradual return to low-fiber foods: Once symptoms ease (white rice, cooked carrots, white bread)

Resume high-fiber diet when stable: Oats, cooked vegetables, legumes (to prevent future attacks)

Hydration: Essential to keep stool soft and prevent pressure in the colon

Gentle movement: Encourages healthy gut motility

Avoid straining during bowel movements: Use stool softeners if necessary

Probiotics: Help restore gut flora after inflammation or antibiotics

Stress management: Chronic stress can impair gut-brain axis function

Ingredients

These raw ingredients are often used in alternative medicine to treat Diverticulitis

aloe vera
anthocyanins
bacillus coagulans
bacillus subtilis
bifidobacterium bifidum
bifidobacterium breve
bifidobacterium infantis
bifidobacterium lactis
bifidobacterium longum
bilberry
black currant
blueberry
butyrate triglyceride
chlorella
citrus pectin
turmeric
d-sorbitol
elderberry
fiber blend (proprietary)
forsythia
fructooligosaccharides (FOS)
garlic bulb
ginger
green tea
cellulose
inulin
l-glutamine
lactobacillus acidophilus
lactobacillus brevis
lactobacillus bulgaricus
lactobacillus casei
lactobacillus fermentum
lactobacillus gasseri
lactobacillus lactis
lactiplantibacillus plantarum
lactobacillus reuteri
lactobacillus rhamnosus
lactobacillus salivarius
microbial enzymes (proprietary)
pancreatin
pectin
pomegranate
prebiotic blend (proprietary)
butyric acid
psyllium
quercetin
resveratrol
saccharomyces boulardii
spirulina
streptococcus thermophilus
tributyrin
vitamin C
vitamin D
xylooligosaccharides
zinc
xanthium (cockleburs)
enzymes blend (proprietary)
3-acetyl-11-keto-beta-boswellic acid
Apple fiber
Amaranth
Asian Psyllium
Arisaema amurense
Acacia fiber
Alkali (unspecified)
Acidophilus
Amylose
Bifidobacterium longum
Bifidobacterium
Butyric acid
Bifidobacterium infantis
Bifidobacterium (various species)
Bulking Agent
Bifidobacterium adolescentis
Bifobacterium (mixed)
Boswellia serrata
Boswellic Acid
Bifidobacterium animalis lactis
Bifidobacterium (mixed)
Bran
Blond Psyllium
Beet Fiber
Bifidobacterium bifidum
Bacillus (mixed)
Boron
Bifidobacterium breve
Black Psyllium
Bifidobacterium animalis
Bacillus subtilis natto
Bacteria (unspecified)
Bifidobacteria (unspecified)
Butyric acid
Bacteria
Bacillus Coagulans
Bacteria Blend
Bifidobacteria
Barley Bran
Cellulose Gel
Cellulose
Corn Bran
Cellulose
Carrot fiber
Chinese Rhubarb
Cellulose
Chymotrypsin
Clostridium butyricum
Cellulose
Curcumin
Cellulose derivatives
Diclofenac
Digestion resistant Dextrin
Enterococcus
Enterococcus (various species)
Fiber Blend
Flax Fiber
Fiber
Flaxseed Fiber
Fructooligosaccharides (FOS)
Flaxseed
Fiber (unspecified)
Fructo-Oligosaccharides
Fructan (unspecified)
Glutamine (various)
Galactooligosaccharides
Guar Gum
Hydroxyanthracene derivative
High amylose polysaccharide
Inulin growth factor
Kefir
Lactobacillus rhamnosus
Lactobacillus plantarum
Lactobacillus delbrueckii lactis
Lactococcus acidophilus
Lactobacillus sakei
Lactobacillus kefiri
Lactococcus lactis
Lactobacillus casei
Lactobacillus reuteri
Lactobacillus (unspecified)
Lactobacillus brevis
Lactobacillus bulgaricus
Lactobacillus (various species)
Lactobacillus acidophilus
Lactobacillus gasseri
Lactobacillus fermentum
Lactobacillus (mixed)
Lactobacillus delbrueckii (ssp not specified)
Lactobacillus johnsonii
Lactobacillus mixed)
Lactobacillus
Lactobacillus (unspepcified)
methylcellulose
Mannanoligosaccharides
Oligosaccharide (unspecified)
Oligosaccharide (unspecified)
Oligosaccharide
Oligosaccharides
Psyllium fiber
Psyllium (not specified)
Prebiotic (unspecified)
Polyethylene glycol
Plantago
Plum fiber
Propionibacterium freudenreichii
Pancreatin
Probiotics
Polydextrose
Psyllium (unspecified)
Pectin-Cellulose
Polyphenols (unspecified)
Probiotic (unspecified)
Pectin
Red root (unspecified)
Rhapontic rubarb
Resistant Starch
Sennosides
Sichuan Fritillary
Sodium Butyrate
Sennoside
Saccharomyces boulardii
Saccharomyces cerevisiae peptides
Soy Fiber
Slippery Elm
Streptococcus Thermophilus
Vitamin B9 (calcium methyltetrahydrofolate)
Vitamin D (ergocalciferol)
Vitamin B9 (folic acid/folate)
Vegetable Fiber (unspecified)
Wheat Bran
Wheat Bran
Xylooligosaccharides
Yogurt