Colon cleansers with diverticulitis

Dear Ask The Doctor: Can you take a colon cleanser with diverticulitis

Dear Lisa:

Diverticulitis is the inflammation or infection of the Diverticula found in the colon. Usually it is recommended to have bowel rest, diet change and antibiotics.

There are different types of colon cleansers, surely enema and laxatives could help by avoiding constipation which is not wanted in diverticulitis however usually colon cleansing is not needed and just changing to a liquid diet would be enough. I won’t suggest you using laxatives if you are not constipated, liquid diet would be enough. I wish you the best.