Divertiuclitis Diet

Diverticulitis is an intestinal disease characterized by the formation of pouches (diverticula) outside the colon. Diverticulitis occurs when one or more diverticula become infected, resulting in symptoms like abdominal cramps, fever, nausea, vomiting, chills, cramping, and constipation. Depending on the severity of the condition, diverticulitis might require surgery; however, most doctors agree that conservative management of diverticulitis is very important, and surgery is usually the last resort when it comes to treating diverticulitis. One of the most important factors involved in conservative management of diverticulitis is the diet a patient consumes. Patients suffering from Diverticulitis are usually placed on three different types of diets based on the amount of fiber present.
Low fiber diet
A patient experiencing initial discomfort due to diverticulitis is prescribed a low fiber diet. A patient is also prescribed antibiotics that target gram negative bacteria and anaerobic bacteria that might be causing inflammation of the diverticula. A low fiber diet gives the colon sufficient time to heal, and helps reduce the stress that is caused by a fiber rich diet. Contrary to popular belief, a low fiber diet does not prevent diverticulitis but simply ensures that a patient receives alleviation from the symptoms of diverticulitis.
High fiber diet
A high fiber diet is usually prescribed after a low fiber diet. Patients that are not in any discomfort or pain are allowed to eat a high fiber diet. Unlike a low fiber diet, a high fiber diet can ensure that the colon receives proper exercise and can help prevent diverticulitis. Unfortunately, a high fiber diet can only be prescribed after a patient has recovered from the symptoms of diverticulitis. Apart from ensuring regular bowel movement, a high fiber diet also ensures that the colon is healthy and reduces the chances of bacterial infection.
No fiber diet
A no fiber diet involves avoiding solid food altogether. Patients are advised to go on a liquid diet when they feel a flare coming on or if a low fiber diet has had very little or no impact. A no fiber diet allows the intestine to heal completely, as there is very little or no fiber at all that can damage the colon. The only downside of a no fiber diet is that patients have to take precautions to ensure they receive adequate nourishment to meet the body’s needs. Once a patient has recovered sufficiently, and the discomfort and pain have subsided they are usually prescribed a low fiber diet.
It is important to remember that diverticulitis usually affects people that have adopted a western diet and regularly consume foods that are low in fiber. In fact, people that consume high fiber diets are considerably less susceptible to colon diseases like diverticulitis. It is also believed that food stuffs that are poorly digested can aggravate and cause diverticulitis. Recent studies have shown that peanuts and seeds can aggravate and cause diverticulitis, and people suffering from diverticulitis are advised not to consume ‘seed’ based food stuffs like peanuts, cashews and other high fiber substances.

Diagnosis of diverticulitis
Patients that report bleeding from their rectums or extreme abdominal discomfort are usually asked to undergo a CT scan to find the exact cause of the bleeding or discomfort. Colon cancer, IBD (inflammatory bowel disease), ischemic colitis, irritable bowel syndrome and other gynecological diseases often cause symptoms similar to diverticulitis, and a CT is almost always the first tool used for diagnosis. Nearly 96% of all diverticulitis cases are diagnosed by a CT scan, but rare cases might require additional diagnostic tools like barium enema and colonoscopy (however such procedures are usually avoided due to the risk of perforation). A CT scan also be used to carry out radiologically guided draining of abscess and allow patients to avoid more invasive techniques like surgery.
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