If your diet is low in fiber and you're frequently constipated, you may be at risk for diverticulosis, the development of weakened bulges in your digestive tract. If waste material lodges in one of these pouches, the area may become painfully inflamed, a condition called diverticulitis. Eating enough high-fiber foods may help prevent these flare-ups and relieve mild symptoms of diverticulitis such as bloating and constipation.
Symptoms
According to the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse (NDDIC), 10 percent of people over the age of 40 have weakened pouches called diverticula in their gastrointestinal tract, most often in the large intestine, or colon. However, unless one of the pouches becomes inflamed, or your health care provider discovers them during routine testing, you may not know these pouches exist. Diverticulitis causes abdominal pain and tenderness, typically in the lower left abdomen. You may have mild pain initially, which grows increasingly severe, or have sudden, sharp pain along with nausea, vomiting, fever and chills.
Causes
Eating enough dietary fiber helps maintain a healthy, intact colon. The insoluble fiber in vegetables, fruits and grains allows waste to move through your colon more efficiently. The pressure exerted on your colon if you strain to pass hard stools may cause diverticula to form. If fecal matter or bits of fiber lodge in one of these pouches, the area may become inflamed and infected. In severe cases of diverticulitis, a colon rupture may occur, requiring hospitalization and antibiotic therapy.
Prevention
Eating more insoluble fiber, the indigestible portion of plant-based foods, may help prevent diverticulitis. In the colon, food that your body has digested absorbs water, which softens the stool and makes bowel movements easier. The regular passage of roughage decreases pressure on your digestive tract, making diverticulosis and diverticulitis less likely. Drinking at least eight cups of water daily and getting regular physical exercise may also reduce your risk of diverticulitis.
Acute Care
A high-fiber diet may relieve mild symptoms of diverticulitis, such as cramping and bloating, by relieving constipation and making stools easier to pass. However, during a flare-up, your health care provider may recommend a clear liquid diet to rest your colon during treatment. You would gradually return to low-fiber foods as tolerated. After recovery, your doctor might recommend that you gradually increase your fiber intake up to a goal of 25 to 30 g of fiber daily.
Sources
Foods rich in insoluble fiber include vegetables, fruits, grains, legumes and nuts. Apples, broccoli, beans, oatmeal, sweet potatoes and breads or cereal made with bran are examples of high-fiber foods that may help prevent diverticulitis. Clinical evidence has not confirmed that eating nuts or seeds increases your chances of a diverticulitis. If nuts, seeds or other high-fiber foods trigger diverticulitis flare-ups in your case, you should replace these foods with other sources of fiber.
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