Will diverticulitis heal on its own? – Harvard Health

Let’s start with the question everyone asks when their lower-left belly starts acting like it’s trying to file a complaint with HR:
Will diverticulitis heal on its own?

The reassuring (and slightly annoying) answer is: often, yesespecially when it’s mild and uncomplicated. The “slightly annoying” part is
that you still shouldn’t diagnose yourself based on vibes, a heating pad, and a single dramatic Google search.
Diverticulitis can look like other problems, and the cases that don’t improve quickly can become serious.

In a Harvard Health-style nutshell: many uncomplicated cases get better with time, rest, and a short-term diet adjustment, and antibiotics
aren’t automatically required for everyone anymore. But some people do need antibiotics, imaging, procedures, or even hospitalization.
The goal is not “toughing it out.” The goal is “getting better safely.”

First, what exactly is diverticulitis (and why is it so dramatic)?

Diverticulosis vs. diverticulitis: same neighborhood, different situation

Diverticulosis means you have small pouches (diverticula) in the wall of your colon. These pouches are common as people age and often
cause no symptomsmany people don’t know they have them until a colonoscopy or scan reveals them.

Diverticulitis happens when one or more of those pouches becomes inflamed (and sometimes infected). That’s when you may feel
significant belly pain (often on the lower left side), fever, chills, nausea, constipation, diarrhea, or just the general sense that your digestive tract
is staging a protest.

Important translation: “heal” doesn’t mean the pouches disappear

When people ask if diverticulitis “heals,” they usually mean: “Will this flare calm down and stop hurting?” In many uncomplicated cases, yes.
But diverticula themselves generally don’t vanish unless that segment of colon is surgically removed. Think of it like potholes: the road can be drivable
again, but the potholes may still exist.

So… can diverticulitis heal on its own?

Mild, uncomplicated diverticulitis can improve without antibiotics and may resolve with supportive care: rest, hydration, and short-term
dietary changes. This is a major shift from the old “everyone gets antibiotics” approach.

Why the change? Because research and clinical guidance increasingly support that in selected patientstypically those who are otherwise
healthy, not immunocompromised, and have mild symptomsantibiotics may not speed recovery or improve outcomes.
In other words: sometimes your body can handle the inflammation without throwing prescription medication at it like confetti.

But here’s the key: “May heal on its own” doesn’t mean “ignore it.” Diverticulitis exists on a spectrum. Some cases are uncomplicated and
settle down. Others are complicated and can escalate. The trick is knowing which situation you’re inand that’s not always obvious on day one.

Uncomplicated vs. complicated: the fork in the road that matters most

Uncomplicated diverticulitis

This generally means localized inflammation with no abscess, perforation, obstruction, or fistula. Many people with uncomplicated cases can be treated
at home, and some may recover without antibiotics, depending on symptoms and risk factors.

Complicated diverticulitis

This can involve problems such as an abscess (a pocket of infection), perforation (a hole in the colon),
peritonitis, fistula, or bowel obstruction. These situations are more dangerous and commonly require
hospitalization, IV antibiotics, possible drainage, and sometimes surgery.

If you take nothing else from this article, take this: the “heal on its own” idea applies mainly to mild, uncomplicated casesnot the
complicated ones.

How clinicians decide who needs antibiotics (and who may not)

Modern guidance supports selective antibiotic use rather than routine antibiotics for everyone with uncomplicated diverticulitis.
That doesn’t mean antibiotics are “bad.” It means they’re targetedsaved for when the risk/benefit makes the most sense.

When antibiotics are more likely to be recommended

• Signs of complications (like an abscess) or more extensive inflammation
• Symptoms that aren’t improving after a short period of supportive care
• High-risk health situations (for example, suppressed immune system, frailty, or significant comorbid conditions)
• More severe symptoms such as high fever, significant tenderness, or inability to tolerate oral intake

Why imaging (often CT) may enter the conversation

Especially for a first episode, severe symptoms, or diagnostic uncertainty, clinicians may use imagingcommonly a CT scanto confirm diverticulitis and
look for complications. That’s not “over-testing.” That’s making sure you’re not treating the wrong problemor missing a dangerous one.

What “at-home care” usually looks like for mild cases

If your case is mild and uncomplicated, supportive care is often the main event. Not glamorous, but effectivelike sweatpants for your colon.

1) Diet: short-term bowel rest, then a gradual return

Many clinicians recommend starting with a clear liquid diet for a short time (not foreveryour body needs nutrition), then slowly
advancing to low-fiber foods as symptoms improve. After recovery, you typically transition back toward a higher-fiber pattern if appropriate.

Clear-liquid examples: broth, water, tea/coffee without cream, pulp-free juices, gelatin, ice pops.

Low-fiber “step-up” foods (as tolerated): eggs, yogurt, white rice, pasta, tender fish/poultry, cooked vegetables without skins,
refined breads/cereals.

2) Pain relief: choose wisely

Pain control matters, but some medications can raise complication risk. Many medical sources suggest that acetaminophen may be preferred
over NSAIDs for some people with diverticulitis. Always follow your clinician’s guidanceespecially if you have liver disease, kidney disease, ulcers,
or take blood thinners.

3) Hydration and rest

Dehydration can worsen how you feel and make constipation more likely. Fluids, rest, and a gentle return to normal activity can support recovery.
Once symptoms settle, gradual movement (like walking) is often reasonableunless your clinician tells you otherwise.

When you should call a clinician (or go in right now)

Diverticulitis is not the time to practice “I’ll just tough it out” as a personality trait. Seek medical care promptly if you have:

• Fever that persists or is high
• Worsening or severe abdominal pain, or pain that becomes generalized
• Persistent vomiting or inability to keep fluids down
• Blood in the stool
• New confusion, dizziness, fainting, or signs of dehydration
• Symptoms not improving after a short period of supportive care
• Higher-risk situations (older age, suppressed immune system, significant chronic conditions, pregnancy, or recent abdominal surgery)

If this is your first suspected episode, it’s also smart to be evaluated rather than self-treat. Several conditions can mimic
diverticulitis, and guessing wrong can delay needed care.

After you feel better: how to reduce the odds of an unwanted sequel

Once the flare has resolved, the conversation often shifts from “How do I calm this down?” to “How do I keep it from coming back?”
While no strategy is perfect, research-backed lifestyle patterns are associated with lower risk.

Fiber (usually) mattersjust not during the worst of a flare

During acute symptoms, clinicians may temporarily reduce fiber to rest the bowel. But longer-term, many guidelines encourage a
fiber-rich eating pattern or fiber supplementation for people with a history of diverticulitiswhen tolerated and appropriate.

The nuts, seeds, and popcorn myth: you can exhale now

People were once told to avoid nuts, seeds, corn, and popcorn to prevent flares. But evidence doesn’t support that restriction, and major guidance has
advised against routinely telling patients to avoid these foods. Translation: your colon is not a marble run where one sesame seed ruins everything.

Other prevention-friendly habits

• Exercise regularly (movement supports bowel function and overall health)
• Stay hydrated (especially as you increase fiber)
• Maintain a healthy weight if possible
• Don’t smoke (smoking is associated with higher risk of complications)
• Limit red/processed meats and ultra-processed foods in favor of more plant-forward meals

Do you need a colonoscopy afterward?

After an episode, some guidance suggests a colonoscopy once inflammation has resolvedparticularly if you haven’t had a recent high-quality exam, or if
the case was complicatedso clinicians can rule out other conditions that can mimic diverticulitis. Your clinician will weigh timing and necessity based
on your history and how the episode was diagnosed.

FAQ: quick answers to common diverticulitis questions

How long does an uncomplicated flare usually last?

Many uncomplicated cases start improving within a few days, but full comfort and stamina can take longer. If you’re not improvingor you’re worsening
that’s your cue to get evaluated, not to “just wait it out.”

Can I treat this at home without seeing anyone?

Some mild cases are managed at home under medical guidance. But because symptoms overlap with other conditions and complications can occur, it’s wise to
contact a clinicianespecially for a first episode, severe pain, fever, or significant symptoms.

Will I need surgery?

Most people do not need surgery for a single uncomplicated episode. Surgery is typically reserved for certain complicated cases,
persistent problems, or selected recurrent situations where benefits outweigh risks.

Is diverticulitis contagious?

No. It’s an inflammatory process in the colon, not an infection you “catch” from someone else.

Real-world experiences: what people commonly report during a flare (about )

The medical facts are importantbut so is the lived reality. Here are a few common experiences people describe during and after a
diverticulitis flare. These aren’t one person’s story; they’re a composite of patterns clinicians hear all the time.
(Because yes, your digestive tract is uniquelike a snowflake, but with more opinions.)

Experience #1: “I thought it was gas… until it very much wasn’t.”

A lot of people describe the beginning as confusing: a dull ache in the lower abdomen, bloating, and a sense that something is “off.”
Some try to push through work, errands, and normal mealsuntil the pain becomes sharp, localized, and distracting.
When the discomfort starts dictating body posture (“If I sit perfectly still and breathe like a yoga instructor, it’s only a 6/10”), that’s often when
people realize it’s not just a minor stomach issue.

In mild cases, once evaluated and reassured that there are no complications, people often say the biggest relief comes from having a plan:
a short period of clear liquids, rest, and a gradual return to food. The emotional shift matters: instead of spiraling into worst-case scenarios,
they can focus on simple steps that support healing.

Experience #2: The clear-liquid diet is boringbut the pain relief feels like a reward

Nobody wakes up craving broth and gelatin. But many people report that bowel rest (for a brief, clinician-guided window) helps reduce
pressure and pain. A frequent theme: “I didn’t realize how much eating made it hurt until I stopped.”
When symptoms begin improving, transitioning to bland, low-fiber foods can feel like progresslike your body is finally calling a truce.

People also describe trial-and-error with timing: eating too much too soon can cause discomfort, while advancing slowly feels safer.
It’s less about being “strict” and more about being strategic. In other words, this isn’t a punishment dietit’s a temporary reset button.

Experience #3: The anxiety after recovery can be the hardest part

Even after the pain fades, many people become hyper-aware of every twinge. They may wonder: “Is it coming back? Am I eating the wrong thing?”
This is where practical follow-up helps: talking with a clinician about long-term prevention (fiber, hydration, movement, and personal triggers),
and clarifying mythslike the outdated fear of nuts and seedscan reduce unnecessary stress.

Some people also describe the “new normal” of listening to their body earlier: taking constipation seriously, hydrating more, walking regularly,
and seeking evaluation sooner if fever or escalating pain returns. The best outcome isn’t living in fear of foodit’s learning a sustainable routine
that supports gut health without turning every meal into a suspense thriller.

Bottom line

Yes, diverticulitis can heal on its ownparticularly when it’s mild and uncomplicated. But “can” isn’t the same as “always,” and the
safest path is knowing when supportive care is enough versus when antibiotics, imaging, or hospital-level care is needed.

If you suspect diverticulitis, treat it like a serious conversation with your bodynot a dare. Get evaluated when symptoms are significant, new,
worsening, or paired with fever or vomiting. Once you’ve recovered, focus on prevention strategies that are actually backed by evidence (hello, fiber and
exercise; goodbye, popcorn panic).