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Diverticulitis
CONTENTS
Diverticulosis
Diverticulitis
High Fiber diet
Foods to Eat and Foods to Avoid
Diverticulosis is a condition in which the inner lining layer of the large intestine or colon bulges out
(herniates) through the outer, muscular layer. These ‘outpouchings’ are called diverticula.
Diverticulitis is the term for inflammation and infection in one or more diverticula.
A person having diverticulosis (the condition), and perhaps diverticulitis (the inflammation) as well, is said to
have diverticular disease.
Diverticulosis Symptoms, Causes and Management
Diverticula occur in a colon weakened by age, when increased pressure inside the colon (usually due to constipation) causes little pea-shaped pouches of weakness in the intestine wall. The chance of developing diverticula increases with age, so that by age 50 between 20 and 50 percent of all people will have some diverticula, and by age 90 virtually everyone will.
Treatment
This diverticulosis is usually symptom-free, so that most people do not realize they have it. However, a few people will experience spasms and pain. Relieving the constipation, primarily by increasing fiber in the diet, can reduce the problems associated with diverticulosis. If cramps, bloating, and constipation are problems, the doctor may prescribe a short course of pain medication. However, many medications cause the colon to empty, an undesirable side effect for people with diverticulosis.
Diverticulitis Symptoms, Causes and Management
A person with diverticulosis may get diverticulitis when waste matter and bacteria are trapped in a pouch (diverticula). This blockage interferes with the blood supply to the area, and infection sets in. The tissue then becomes inflamed or infected, and in severe cases may even rupture. An attack of diverticulitis can result in fever, pain and tenderness around the left side of the lower abdomen.
The infection and irritation of nearby tissues within the abdomen may cause the abdominal muscles to spasm. About 25 percent of all patients with diverticulitis will have some rectal bleeding, although this rarely becomes severe. Diverticulitis is three times more likely to occur in the left side of the large intestine, and men are three times as likely as women to suffer with diverticulitis.
Treatment
Treatment for diverticulitis focuses 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, and preventing or minimizing complications. Acute or repeated attacks with severe pain or severe infection may be serious enough to require a hospital stay and possibly surgery.
High Fiber Diet Recommendations
High Fiber Diet for Diverticular Disease
This diverticulitis diet is a high fiber diet for managing diverticulosis, and for reducing effects of diverticulitis. The increased fiber (the American Dietetic Association recommends 20 to 35 grams daily, including 6-8 grams of soluble fiber) in this diverticulitis diet plan produces more bulk in the stool, reducing pressure in the colon and assisting the more regular and complete elimination of waste, thereby preventing the formation of further diverticula.
Build up consumption of fiber in your diet gradually – rapid fiber increase may result in gas, cramping, bloating, or diarrhea. There are other benefits in having different kinds of fiber in a balanced diverticulitis diet: it helps to protect against cancer of the colon and rectum, and assists in preventing heart disease and a number of other health problems. Foods containing fiber also tend to comprise nutrients like vitamins A, C, and E and selenium, useful in fighting cancer.
Increase Fluid and Fiber
Anyone with diverticulitis who increases their fiber intake under this diverticulitis diet plan, should drink at least 1.5 liters (3 pints) daily. 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), and to use a cholesterol-lowering spread or margarine containing plant sterols. Fiber supplements provide about 2 to 3.5 grams of fiber per tablespoon, which is mixed with a quarter liter (8 ounces) of water before consuming.
Should Seeds Be Eaten?
Until recently, many doctors suggested avoiding foods with small seeds because it was believed that particles could lodge in the diverticula and cause inflammation. However, this is now a controversial point and no evidence supports this recommendation. So the seeds in tomatoes, zucchini, cucumbers, strawberries and raspberries, as well as poppy seeds, which are part of your diverticulitis diet, are generally considered harmless.
Diverticulitis Diet Guidelines
Foods to Eat
- Breads and grains (6-11 servings daily)
- Bread, pastas, pizzas, pancakes, muffins, bagels, pita bread (use whole-grain, whole-wheat flours, and
add 2-3 tsp of unprocessed wheat bran to, or substitute oat bran for one third of all-purpose flour in homemade
breads, muffins and other baked goods) - Whole-wheat, whole-grain and bran cereal products
- Buckwheat and stone-ground cornmeal
- Rye bread
- Whole wheat crackers or crisp breads
- Oatmeal, oat bran, or grits
- Barley, dry
- Wheat germ
- Whole wheat pasta
- Brown rice
Eat raw or dried fruits and raw vegetables if possible – chopping, peeling, cooking, pureeing, juicing, and processing
fruit and vegetables may reduce fiber content.
Vegetables (3-5 servings daily)
- All vegetables such as asparagus, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, carrots, greens (such as beet greens, kale,
collards, Swiss chard and turnip greens), green beans, green pepper, onions, peas, potatoes with skin, Romaine,
snow peas, green snap beans, pole beans, broad beans, spinach, squash, sweet potatoes, turnips.
Fruit (2-4 servings daily)
- All fruits such as apple, apricot, banana, blackberries, blueberries, cherries, dates, fig, grapefruit, nectarine,
orange, peach, pear, pineapple, prune.
Milk/dairy (2-3 servings daily)
- Increase fiber in yogurt or cottage cheese by adding fresh fruit, whole grain or bran cereals.
Meat/meat substitutes (2-3 servings or total of about 180 gm or 6 oz daily)
- All beans and peas such as aduki, baked beans, black beans, fava, garbanzo beans, kidney beans, lentils, lima beans,
pinto beans and split peas. - Smooth peanut butter and other smooth nut butters.
- All meat (increase fiber in meat dishes like meatloaf, casseroles, by adding 2-3 tsp of unprocessed wheat bran
or pinto beans, kidney beans, black-eyed peas, or oatmeal), poultry, fish, and eggs
Fats and snacks
- Whole-wheat pretzels, baked tortilla corn chips or trail mix made with dried fruits.
- Cakes, breads, and cookies made with oatmeal or fruit.
- Bean dip
Foods to Avoid
Any hard or difficult-to-digest foods, such as nuts, corn, popcorn hulls, and sunflower, pumpkin, caraway, and sesame seeds.
For more indepth information consider this book: Diverticulitis (How to Cope Successfully With)
These ebooks are also available.
The Fastest Way To End Digestive Pain Forever
New Diverticulitis Breakthrough
I had surgery for diverticulitis a couple of weeks ago. This is the toughest surgery that I’ve ever had. My doctor has suggested that I quit eating meat (including fish and poultry) and all dairy products. I really do not want to go through this again so I’ll do the best I can to change my eating habits.
Bill, 31yrs old. Had dull pain in lower left side for about 1-1/2 years. Had sever pain one day. Found out from a CT scan, my colon was inflamed, and a mild case of diverticulitis. Now on High Fiber, no seeds. Scared of surgery, so I need to maintain diet, and lose weight overall. Still not sure of what seeds are ok, re: Pickles and/or caraway in sausage?? – Whatever keeps the pain away. Trial and error now…..
I have been having pain in my right lower side. I think it is div. can anyone tell me if you have trouble with bowl movements: I am having a hard time I have not been to the dr. yet have an appt. Thursday.
I have suffered right & left side diver for over 10 years and have learned not to eat oats, yogurt unless in a smoothie or spicy foods. There are also many fruits that can aggravate the disease. Oats may be filling but unless you are drinking 2 litres of water a day religiously you can meet problems. I also don’t use Metamucil or any product of the same as it has caused chronic attacks. I also believe that each case is an individual case and some of us can handle foods that others may not. I eat home grown tomatoes regularly and have never had an attack afterwards.
Colette,
I was hospitalized for 10 days and back home now as of Thursday. I lost 7 pounds in the process. The pain is almost gone but I was given meds to deal with it along with 2 antibiotics and a nausea medication. I was on a clear liquid diet for about a week, then a full liquid diet. Now I am eating things like mashed potatoes, yogurt, pudding and lots of G2. The doctor suggested ensure or boost, they taste horrible but is worth it for the calories (350 per bottle). I would suggest researching these diets online or better yet talking to a dietician.
Good luck,
I am a 21 year old female. I am underweight, and have been a vegetarian most of my life. I eat a lot of high fiber foods and always have. I walk a lot. I just got diagnosed with diverticulitis this morning. I literally am right out of the hospital. I am in a lot of pain but its my entire right side of my abdomen and back on the same side. I have not been able to eat because of the pressure in my stomach. It hurts to eat but have no idea what I should eat. Please help with ideas for food. I also had a question does anyone have any idea why someone my age who has always eaten healthy (vegetarian). I never eat fast food, hardly ever snack and do not eat junk. I eat mostly fresh fruits and vegetables. I guess I have not always been a healthy eater in terms of not having enough nutrition but I don’t see how that relates.
Well Dave, I do not drink!!!
I am a 60 year old women, was diagnosed with diverticulitis during a routine colonoscopy. Havent had a problem , but 2 years after the colonoscopy , I started getting pain in the lower abdomen. After CT they told me it was a mild case of diverticultitis, cant imagine what a full blown case is. They put me on antibiotics and told me “hope you feel better” The ache in the lower abdomen is starting to subside after about 5 days. I was reading on the internet of the diet that should be followed, I am seein contradicting information. some say white bread and some say wheat breads and puff cereal, but they all say no hard seeds.
There is a controversy about the seeds in tomatoes, cucumbers , pickles , even poppy seeds.
Be careful of what you eat and you should have no problems, hopefully.
David wrote:
I’m willing to bet that most of you drink too much!
You are not only an idiot, you are ignorant since you apparently didnt learn anything by reading the information on this page.
Diverticulitis has absolutely nothing to do with drinking. I would never wish the pain I have experienced with my diverticulitis attacks, colon resection and continued recovery on anyone, until now. I am 46 yr female. Have eaten a fairly low-fat, very little red meat, high oats, and lots of fish diet for years. I exercise some what. And I hardly ever drink, meaning, in one year I may consume 6 drinks or beers if that.
I would have never thought I would be suseptable to diverticulitis. It certain wasnt because of a drinking problem!
I’m only 21 years old and I was diagnosed yesterday with diverticulitis. I do not get too much excercise and I tend to eat a lot. Guess it’s time for a change! Has anyone had particular luck with any specific diet plan?
I’m willing to bet that most of you drink too much!
I’m recovering from a reversal of an emergency colostomy
and removal of a section of bowel due to perforations of
abcesses in diverticulitis that became peritonitis, a
life-threatening condition. Diverticulosis can get ugly
and is no joke if not taken seriously enough to avoid
what I’ve just been through. Just a word to the wise!
so many vegetables and fruits have seeds… i love eggplant and it is very hard these days to find one with no seeds.. so i scrape out the center… same thing with squash… so many things with seeds… rolls have seeds… semilina bread.. its a seeded world..
I am going to be having surgery for diviticulitis… to many times with attacks… when i was first diagnosed with diviticulotis i changed my diet… I found yogurt would help probably because it has a culture in it… only yougurt w/o the berries with seeds… vanilla, coconut, peach etc.. the sun after Thanksgiving i almost passed out from the pain and needed hospitalization.. i did not go because the following day i needed a medical procedure done.
I knew if i went to the hospital i would not be leaving and probably having surgery… It is now Jan. I never healed right… My Gastro dr said yes , surgery is the option now..
Wish me luck… be well
There are seeds in the berries blueberries, strawberries.
why would this be suggested to eat?
I am 42 and went to hospital Monday night after having left sided abdominal pain and abdominal bloating for 4 days. I did not think it was serious. Just thought it was gas. After CT scan my doctor told me to go to ER right away to be admitted for severe diverticulitis. I had similar pains on and off for 3 years. It is so hard to determine when you should go to the doctor. It is also very scary.
i just found out today that i have dieticulitus
Mark 44, non-smoker, pretty fit, reasonably good diet and never a been in hospital overnight before… I had been having recurring pains, more recently perhaps fortnightly and remember this going back over a year having severe pain just after Christmas 2008 – enough to be rolling on the floor. This always went away after an hour or so and next day was fine so I ignored it – it was occasional and I put it down to stomach reacting to being mistreated with some bad food. I woke up 5 in the morning (Dec 7 2009) with pain (lower left abdomen), this time it was worse and did not go away after a few hours. I went to the hospital and after tests (XRay, Gastroscope, Ultrasound then ComputerTomography) they found an airpocket showing ruptured divericula (on the CT scan). So I was operated removing 20cm of intestine.
Causes are unclear – although I did eat Muesli every day for breakfast and had a very stressful year (losing my job twice). I probably eat a bit too much fat,sweet stuff – chocolate, drink a bit too much beer on occasions, perhaps not enough simple green veg, perhaps all together this was the cause. Difficult to know.
It was a mistake not going to the doctor – could perhaps have been avoided! Eat more greens!
Two years ago I had to have surgery for diverticulitis. I had been eating a lot of things with nuts in them, so I really think that is the main reason I had to have surgery. Of course, I did not get enough excercise or eat enough fiber. I am scared to eat nuts but I have eaten tomatoes, strawberrries, sesame seeds on top of a bun. A couple of days ago, I ate some corn. Still waiting to see how that goes. I think it take about 2 days for stuff to go thru the system. One good thing is I QUIT SMOKING while I was in the hospital. Bad thing is I can feel stuff moving thru my guts now. Wonder if that is normal?
i have just had my first attack just 3 days after christmasand boy it was as bad as when i had my gall stones . Went to the drop in centre and the doctor there done tests and examined me and said i had diverticulitis and that i must rest my tummy for a few days and told me not to eat nut or seeds, she gave me painkillers , antibiotics and anti sickness tablets and said if it got worse to go to the hospital. i went home and took the tablets and they made me sleepy . i slept for 3 days just taking the tablets when it was time . now im on the mend but cant get to doctors because of the snow so dont knowwhat to do now ?
I was told to reduce my fiber and stop the Metamucil.
And it makes sense because less in means less out. It hurts when it comes out.
hello my husband is only 35 and has had 2 known attacks of this horrible diverticulitis,I feel so bad for him and I try so hard to makesure he is getting the foods he needs but it seems nothing helps,I feel he has had this for a long time now but in the past 6 months it went full blown,doctors say we got him to the er just in time so now we dont wait he feels pain we go to the doctor…I’m so confused with the diet,I know with an attack no fiber but when do you start giving fiber again?how long on low fiber or no fiber diet before I am to give him fiber fiber fiber?
Thanks for any help~~~
My grandma use to always say worry your self sick,now I know what she meant.
This is probably a dumb question, but does anyone know if fiber supplements such as Konsyl should be temporarily stopped during a flare up and when on a low residue diet?
thanks i wont starve on this diet. also will this cause to loose control on my bladder?when lifting or carring over 5 pounds i urinate with no control.
Just diagnosed with divereticulitis. My Mother had it, too.
Haven’t started the diet yet, but reviewiing the recommended foods, they have been in my diet already, except not so much bread. I have poorly fitting dentures so
fresh greens will be a problem. Also hve diabetes. I am 87 years ago with several other health problems. The comments are quite valuable.
Age 47 Male.Getting over my second attack within a 6 month period. Gorged on Walnuts and some sesame seed rice crackers and have been in severe pain for 2 days. The pain doesnt begin until days later it seems so its hard to pin point what was the original cause. Terrible, terrible pain for about 12 hours straight, nothing like ever experienced before. You have to ride it out or go to the hospital. Problem is doctors cant pin point it right away because the pain is all over the place in the upper and lower quadrants. Good luck and eat better..
I am just getting over my first attack 11 day ago. I have never been so uncomfortable in my life! I thought my abdomen was going to explode. Afer a night in the emergency room, CT scan and other unpleasant tests, it was confirmed. Diverticulitis. Now the diet. Learning to re-think my eating habits is very difficult. Although I have always eaten lots of fiber, had good eating habits, and not too much junk food or unhealthy food, this is a real challenge.
Good luck to all of you with this sneaky disease.