Safe and Dangerous Foods and Products for Diverticulitis Sufferers

I've seen my aunt in the hospital with this condition. Diverticulitis is a condition of the colon in which a week spot in the colon that bulges outward creates infected or inflamed pouch called a diverticulum. My aunt has this disease and she is over forty, which is usually the age of those infected with the disease. She rarely has symptoms, but when she does they consist of abdominal pain and cramping, along with constipation. She had it so bad this one time the doctors considered surgery but with a steady proper diet and some antibiotics she was able to recover with out it.

A low-fiber diet is thought to cause diverticular disease. Most researchers believe that the low fiber diet is a result of all the processed foods on the market that contain low fiber flour. My aunt was told by her doctor to eat fruits, vegetables, and grains that are high in fiber. The fiber keeps stool soft and easily passable. Some high fiber fruits include: pears, apples, peaches, and tangerines. Some high fiber vegetables include: Asparagus, Broccoli, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Spinach, raw tomato, Romaine lettuce, carrots, and Brussels sprouts. Some high fiber starches include: Baked beans, kidney beans, lima beans, and cooked potatoes. Some high fiber grains include: whole wheat bread, brown rice, bran cereal, oatmeal, and white rice. All dairy products and meat products seem to be tolerable.

My aunt was told by her doctor to take at least 35 grams of fiber a day and even recommended taking the fiber supplements of Metamucil or Citrucel. She often avoided popcorn, corn, all nuts, and most seeds including: sunflower send, caraway seeds, pumpkin seeds. The doctor said it was good to avoid most seeds because they could enter into the diverticula and irritate it. Some harmless seeds are strawberry seeds, cucumbers seeds and zucchini seeds.

If the symptoms already exist you should totally change how you eat and drink. The doctor recommended a low fiber diet and/ or a clear liquid diet. A clear liquid diet would consist of broths, gelatins and water.

For the treatment of Diverticulits antibiotics is an option but should be avoided because there are all types of bacteria in the colon some are good and some are bad so we don't want to kill off any good bacteria that actually helps the digestion. Some examples include: Dulcolax or Ex-Lax

If you are over 40 years old, it is strongly recommended that you have a baseline colonoscopy. And repeat every 3-5 years if you have had colon diseases, such as polyps, diverticulitis, colitis, or hemorrhoids.

Drink more water and avoid alcohol and nicotine.

Don't eat fatty food or deep fried foods, avoid hydrogenated oils.

Increase physical activity to maintain a healthy bowel.

My aunt used to take the herbal supplement flaxseed for diverticulitis, and it was really helpful for her. It prevented flare-ups and eased symptoms while promoting consistent bowel movements. Some other herbal supplements that may be beneficial include: Chamomile (muscle relaxer), Wild Yam Root (anti-inflammatory), Slippery Elm (increase secretion of helpful mucous), peppermint and Valerian (reduce spasm in digestive tract).