Diverticulitis is a condition where small pouches called diverticula form in the sigmoid colon. Sometimes these small pouches get inflamed when least expected. When this happens, pain, bloating and constipation can occur. Medical experts do not know for sure why inflammation occurs, but it is thought the cause could be trapped waste or bacteria in the pouches. Management of diverticulitis pain can be achieved by making changes in diet and lifestyle.
Step 1
Get examined by your doctor before assuming diverticulitis is the cause of your pain, and be prepared to answer questions regarding your symptoms, including questions about bowel movements, your diet and questions about any drugs you are taking. Expect your doctor to give you a rectal exam so that he can check for an obstruction, sensitivity or blood. Have your doctor check your feces for blood, and let your doctor check your blood to see if you have an infection. Ask your doctor to give you an ultrasound of your abdomen and a CT scan if he thinks your pain is caused by diverticulitis.
Step 2
Ask your doctor what you can do to manage your diverticulitis pain once she has confirmed diverticulitis as the cause. Discuss whether you need to add more fiber to your diet in the form of powder, pills or wafers, and ask her if you need to include more fiber-rich foods in your diet, or if you need to go on a liquid diet for a while. If you consume more fiber, you may be able to protect yourself from getting diverticulitis. According to the American Dietetic Association, 20 to 35 grams of fiber should be eaten daily.
Step 3
Eat more high fiber foods to prevent diverticulitis. Keep a log of foods you eat that bring on symptoms or exacerbate them and avoid eating those foods. Begin a 3-day juice diet that consists of carrot, apple or grape juice. After that, eat carrots, bananas, yams, papaya, broccoli and thoroughly cooked black beans. When healing starts and irritation in the colon calms down, eat brown rice, cous cous, tofu, low fat protein and baked seafood. Some other high fiber foods to include in your diet are whole grain cereal, oatmeal, whole wheat English muffins, apples, pears, raspberries, prunes if constipated, winter squash, potatoes green peas, mixed vegetables, cauliflower and spinach. Potatoes, apples and pears should be eaten with the skin to increase fiber intake. Drink plenty of water (6 to 8 glasses) and juice such as apple and cranberry.
Step 4
Use methods such as massage and exercise to keep diverticulitis pain under control. Massage keeps things flowing smoothly in the abdominal region and it helps to alleviate pain. Drink alfalfa-mint tea to alleviate pain and inflammation. Walk regularly as people who do not move around enough are more susceptible to diverticulitis.
References
- Diverticulosis and Diverticulitis
- Linda Page's Healthy Healing, All New Eleventh Edition, 2001
