Approximately 1/3 of people who have their first attack of diverticulitis is hopsitalized. (My mom was in this catergory. She was hospitalized for a week.) Usually they are sick enough to need intravenous antibiotics, and intravenous fluids which will prevent dehydration. A CT scan will show how severe the disease is. (They gave my mom a colonoscopy.)

Needless to say, the severity of the disease will determine the treatment necessary to relieve the symptoms. Small abscesses ranging from 1-2 centimeters usually are treated successfully with antibiotics. Large abscesses may need to be drained or surgically removed.

The Institute of Medicine recommends young adult women consume 25 grams of fiber daily while women over 50 need to consume 21 grams each day. Young adult men need to consume 38 grams of fiber while men over the age of 50, need to consume 30 grams.