It's not uncommon for people to have to add the word "diverticulitis" to their vocabularies, especially as they grow older. If you are over 60, there's a 50 percent chance that you'll develop diverticulosis, a condition in which small bulges, or diverticula, occur in the lining of the colon, or large intestine, according to the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse. If these diverticula become inflamed or infected, the condition is known as diverticulitis, which causes painful symptoms. You'll have to pay careful attention to your diet as part of your recovery, and to help prevent diverticulitis attacks in the future.
About Diverticulitis
Diverticulitis develops in only 10 to 25 percent of cases of diverticulosis, according to the National Institutes of Health. Besides age, other possible risk factors include obesity, a sedentary lifestyle and lack of fiber in your diet. Common symptoms include abdominal pain or tenderness, fever, nausea, vomiting, constipation and diarrhea.
Possible Complications
If you have symptoms of diverticulitis, your doctor will want to rule out other ailments, as there are many other possibilities, including appendicitis, colon or ovarian cancer and other bowel diseases, which can cause similar symptoms. Prompt treatment --- usually including rest and antibiotics --- for diverticulitis is important. Complications can include an intestinal blockage or abscess, rectal bleeding or peritonitis, a critical inflammation that may develop if an infected or inflamed pouch ruptures into your abdomen.
Your Recovery Diet
As your intestinal tract heals, your doctor may advise a restricted diet to soothe the inflammation. A diverticulitis diet generally starts with clear liquids --- broth, clear soda, fruit juices with no pulp, ice pops, water, plain gelatin and tea or coffee with no added cream. Gradually, you'll be able to add low-fiber foods. These may include canned or well-cooked vegetables, plain white bread and pasta, low-fiber cereals, milk and yogurt, cheese, smooth peanut butter, tender cuts of meat, poultry and fish, eggs and canned fruit.
Longer-Term Diet
In the long run, a fiber-rich diet may help you avoid the pain and complications of diverticulitis. This is because high-fiber foods can limit the pressure on your colon by softening waste and helping it move through more quickly. MayoClinic.com recommends a goal of 25 g fiber per day for women and 38 g for men. Drink plenty of water and gradually add fiber-rich foods, including brown and wild rice, fruits, legumes, vegetables and whole-grain breads and cereals, to your diet. At one time, those with diverticulosis used to be advised to avoid seeds and whole grains, such as popcorn. According to the National Institutes of Health, there's no scientific evidence for those restrictions, but do keep track of foods that trigger symptoms and avoid them.
