Diverticulosis is a condition in which diverticuli, or pouches, form in the walls of the intestines. Diverticulitis is when one or more of these pouches becomes inflamed, resulting in an infection. Symptoms include severe abdominal pain, change in bowel movements, constipation or diarrhea, nausea and vomiting, bloating and blood in the stool. You can prevent this from happening by avoiding certain foods that might cause the diverticuli to react and by eating more of foods that will improve your overall health.
Treatment
Treatment for diverticulitis depends on how severe your symptoms are. If they are extremely severe, you might need surgery to remove the affected part of the intestines. This is called a bowel resection; the surgeon removes the diseased part of the intestine in order to lessen your pain and other symptoms. However, if your symptoms are not severe, a treatment of antibiotics and diet and lifestyle changes can help you recover.
Foods to Avoid
In general, you should avoid any type of food that could potentially get stuck in the pouches. This includes foods that are crunchy, such as crunchy peanut butter, and nuts and seeds. You should also avoid foods that are difficult to digest or take longer to digest, which means they will be in your intestinal tract longer. This increases your chances of your diverticuli becoming inflamed. These foods include tough meat and also foods that are high in fiber such as dried beans, whole grains, raw vegetables, fruits and vegetables with the skin on and juice with pulp. By avoiding these foods, you will reduce some of the inflammation and discomfort that accompanies this condition.
Foods to Eat
In general, you should eat as wide a variety of foods as you can to increase the amounts of nutrients you are eating each day. When choosing dairy products, choose those that are fat-free or lactose-free if you are lactose sensitive. When choosing meat, poultry or fish, choose the lean, tender cuts instead of the fatty, marbled cuts. As for breads, pasta and rolls, opt for those made from white flour, which has less fiber and is digested more easily. Eat plenty of vegetables, as long as they are well cooked and without the skin. If you are still feeling ill, it might be a good idea to puree some of your food until the inflammation subsides.
Diet Guidelines
Because so many foods should be strictly avoided when your diverticuli are inflamed, eat as many fruits and vegetables as possible when the inflammation subsides so you get plenty of nutrients to replenish any depleted stores in your body. Also, consult with your physician about taking a daily multivitamin. Finally, eating smaller, more frequent meals throughout the day instead of two or three larger ones might make digestion easier.
