Understanding and Managing Diverticulitis

• Diverticulitis is an inflammation of the diverticula, which are small sacs in the large intestine.
• The short-term prognosis for diverticulitis is good; most patients recover completely within a few weeks of treatment.
• However, there is a risk for relapse after initial recovery from this condition.
• If a patient does experience reoccurring episodes, it is likely a long-term condition and requires continuous treatment.
• In some cases, there are complications from diverticulitis which can lead to long-term problems such as chronic intestinal disorders.
• Provide patient education on the importance of changing her lifestyle. Construct an exercise program that she can utilize to increase physical activity for at least 30 minutes a day to reduce the risk for diverticulitis.
• Sonography is just as effective as a ct scan at diagnosing diverticulitis.
• Confirms diagnosis through images of inflammation or infection.

Learn about the causes, symptoms, treatment, and management of diverticulitis, including the importance of lifestyle changes and exercise for reducing the risk of complications.