About one third of people who have an episode of diverticulitis will experience another attack.
Diverticulitis is thought to occur when bacteria or hardened stool becomes trapped in small, bulging pouches (diverticula) in the colon wall and trigger infection or inflammation. Diverticula develop in most people as they age—a condition called diverticulosis. About 10% to 25% of those with diverticulosis eventually suffer an episode of diverticulitis.
People with diverticulitis are usually hospitalized and treated with intravenous antibiotics to eradicate infection. Surgery may be necessary for those with diverticulitis who fail to respond adequately to medical therapy (about 20% of patients). In such cases, the affected area of the colon is removed and the remaining sections of the colon are joined together.
About one third of people who have an episode of diverticulitis will experience another attack. Because recurrent attacks of diverticulitis are less likely to respond to medical therapy and have a high mortality, surgical resection of the affected portion of the colon is usually recommended after a second attack of divericulitis.
To reduce the risk of a recurrence of diverticulitis, patients should eat a diet that is high in fiber and low in total fat and red meat. Once you’ve recovered from your attack of diverticulitis, gradually increase your dietary fiber intake over a period of weeks. Exercise may help, too. In addition, some studies show that long-term treatment with Asacol (mesalamine), an anti-inflammatory drug, and Xifaxan (rifaximin), an antibiotic, also might be protective.
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