Can A Diverticulitis Diet Prevent Symptoms?

For people living with diverticulitis, diet is a major concern. Eating the wrong foods, or not enough of the right ones, can lead to near-crippling complications and pain.

Diverticulitis occurs when diverticula; small, bulging pouches that can occur anywhere from the esophagus to the bowel, but most commonly appear in the colon, become inflamed. This inflammation can cause fever, nausea, severe abdominal pain and drastic changes in bowel function. Mild cases can usually be treated with rest and dietary modifications, and occasionally prescription antibiotics, but severe attacks can require surgery to remove the infected section of the colon, sometimes even a full colostomy.

With such dire consequences facing them, it's little wonder that diverticulitis sufferers, and even those at risk for the disease, are willing to do almost anything to prevent outbreaks.

One of the most beneficial things to come out of the explosion in interest in high-fiber diets in the late '80s and early '90s was the discovery that they can help prevent and ameliorate diverticulitis by helping the digestive system function properly.

However, if you are going to try dietary means to avoid diverticulitis, you should know that the "high-fiber" diet recommended is far beyond what most people think of when they hear that term. Some of the suggestions for a diverticulitis-prevention diet include:

Eating 7 to 12 servings of grains a day. Grains include bread, cereals, rice, pasta and the like. One slice of bread, half a bagel or a half-cup of pasta or rice equals one serving.

Emphasizing whole-grain foods. Look for whole wheat, cracked wheat or stone-ground wheat in the ingredients. The recent explosion in whole-grain cereals will help you with this step, also.

Consume several servings of fiber-rich fruits and vegetables every day. Berries and "skin" fruits such as apples and pears are fiber-rich, and any cabbage relative such as broccoli and Brussels sprouts are packed with fiber.

As you can see, you won't be eating a lot of steak and potatoes on this diet. However, if you are at risk for diverticulitis, and your doctor agrees with the idea, following a diet like this can help avoid a condition that can be nightmarish for sufferers. I cannot emphasize enough, however, that diet should never, ever be used as a substitute for proper medical attention. If you suspect you have this condition, seek medical help as soon as possible.

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