Knowing what our doctors have for Diverticulosis, can help us getting optimal treatment from our MD appointment.
The western medicine treatment and management of Diverticulosis
Conventional medicine treats the symptoms and complications of this illness. It focuses on eradicating the inflammation state of Diverticulosis. The inflammation state is called “Diverticulitis” and requires talking antibiotics. At that stage, it can be life-threatening. You may have to be confined to the hospital and might need surgery which is the worst-case.
During the quite period between inflammation flare-ups, it offers to eat some fiber-rich diet – assuming those fibers will not be caught in the intestines pouches and start to rot there.
Drugs used
The main types of drugs used by the doctor are antibiotics and anti-inflammatory drugs. Antibiotics used are usually the broad-spectrum type. It means these can fight off infections caused by many kinds of bacteria present in the bowels. Anti-inflammatory drugs are used to ease the pain and swelling of the affected organs. Here are two commonly prescribed medicines (generic or name of the active substance in the drug is given) below.
Rifaximin – is a broad-spectrum antibiotic. This drug is also poorly absorbed into the blood by the body. This is important so that the drug stays inside the bowels where it is needed.
Mesalazine – is an anti-inflammatory drug commonly used for bowel disorders.
Painkillers known as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are not recommended. They may upset your stomach and increase your risk of internal bleeding. Aspirin and Ibuprofen are 2 examples of NSAIDs.
Management and Nutrition
“Let food be your medicine and medicine be your food.” – Hippocrates
A more holistic approach uses the Mazor method based on the principles of functional medicine. This is explained in greater detail in the Diverticulosis booklet. To get a copy, you can go here.
