Diverticulitis is the term for inflammation and infection in one or more diverticulum (a pouch in the wall of the intestine).
Symptoms, Causes and Management of Diverticulosis
The chances of having diverticulosis increases with age. At the age of 50, between 20-50 percent of all people will have diverticulosis, and by age of 90 virtually everyone will have diverticulosis.
Diverticulitis Symptoms, Causes and Management
A person may get diverticulitis when waste matter and bacteria are trapped in the diverticulum. This blockage interferes with the blood supply to the area, and infection sets in. A diverticulitis attack can result in severe pain around the left side of the lower abdomen, vomiting, fever and chills. Men are 3 times as likely to suffer with diverticulitis than women.
Treatment
Diverticulosis commonly has no symptoms but some people will experience pain. An increase in the amount of fiber in the diet can give relief from constipation, which helps in reducing the problems related to diverticulosis. Treatment for diverticulitis concentrates on clearing up the infection and inflammation with antibiotics, resting the colon with a liquid diet plus a pain reliever or a drug such as, propantheline (Pro-Banthine) to control muscle spasms.
High Fiber Diet for Diverticular Disease
The increase in fiber in this diverticulitis diet reduces pressure in the colon, produces more bulk in the stool and helps in regular and complete removal of waste, which helps in preventing further diverticulitis attacks.
A quick increase of fiber may result in gas, bloating, or diarrhea. Different kinds of fiber have other benefits in a balanced diverticulitis diet, which helps to protect against colon and rectum cancer.
Increase Fiber and Fluid
A person having diverticulitis who increases their fiber intake should drink at least 1.5 liters of fluids daily under this diverticulitis diet plan. Insoluble fiber needs fluid to form stools that are easily passed. Medical advice may be to take a fiber supplement such as Metamucil daily (for soluble fiber from psyllium).
Guidelines for Diverticulitis Diet
Foods to Eat
Bran cereal products, whole-wheat and whole-grain, rye bread, buckwheat and stone-ground cornmeal, barley, whole wheat pasta, oat bran, breads and grains (6-11 servings daily), pancakes, muffins, bagels.
Fruit (2-4 servings daily)
Fruits such as: apricots, apples, blackberries, bananas, cherries, grapefruit, nectarines, oranges, pears, pineapple, prunes.
Vegetables (3-5 servings daily)
Vegetables such as: green snap beans, pole beans, broad beans, spinach, squash, sweet potatoes, asparagus, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, carrots.
Fats and snacks
Baked corn tortilla chips, trail mix made with dried fruits, bean dip, cookies made with oatmeal or fruit.
Milk/dairy (2-3 servings daily)
Increase fiber in yogurt or cottage cheese by adding fresh fruit, bran cereals or whole grains.
Foods to Avoid
Foods that are difficult to digest such as: popcorn hulls, nuts, corn, pumpkin and sesame seeds.
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