Many studies show that eating fiber-rich foods can help control diverticular symptoms. Women younger than 51 should aim for 25 grams of fiber daily. Men younger than 51 should aim for 38 grams of fiber daily. Women 51 and older should get 21 grams daily.
If you are having a flare-up, your doctor may put you on a low-fiber or clear liquid diet for a time to give your digestive system a chance to rest and heal.
During an episode of acute diverticulitis, your appetite may be poor. It is also recommended to avoid foods which are poorly digested or high in fibre, such as onions, nuts, seeds, fruit and vegetable skins, wholegrain cereals etc. Try to stick to plain foods which do not irritate your bowel.
Diverticulosis: What to Eat. Cater says people with diverticulosis can benefit from eating fiber-rich foods, including: Whole grains, such as quinoa, bulgur, teff, barley, popcorn, oats, shredded wheat or bran cereals, and whole grain breads. Beans and legumes, including black beans, kidney beans, chickpeas and lentils.
Stay with liquids or a bland diet (plain rice, bananas, dry toast or crackers, applesauce) until you are feeling better. Then you can return to regular foods and slowly increase the amount of fibre in your diet. Use a heating pad set on low on your belly to relieve mild cramps and pain.
This occurs when diverticula (pouches) become inflamed and infected causing significant lower abdominal pain. It is thought an infection develops when a hard piece of stool or undigested food gets trapped in one of the pouches.
How is uncomplicated diverticulitis treated? In about 95 out of 100 people, uncomplicated diverticulitis goes away on its own within a week.
In addition, you can also eat rice porridge, natural yogurt and sugar-free Jello. In general, this diet should be maintained for another 24 hours. Once the pain resolves and the bowel functioning starts returning to normal, you can progress your diet to incorporate more solids. Solids should remain plain, however.
Diets low in fibre can cause constipation which in turn can cause straining and an increased risk of diverticula forming. Constipation also increases the risk of diverticula becoming infected.
Some types of antibiotics used to treat diverticulitis can cause side effects in some people, including vomiting and diarrhoea. Your GP may recommend that you stick to a fluid-only diet for a few days until your symptoms improve. This is because trying to digest solid foods may make your symptoms worse.
Diverticulitis Recovery Timeline
Recovering from a flare-up of diverticulitis could take as long as two weeks. 1 The first few days of recovering from uncomplicated diverticulitis at home will include following a liquid diet, resting, and using recommended medications for pain relief.
Mild diverticulitis may go away on its own, while home remedies such as drinking plenty of fluids, a clear liquid diet, a bland/BRAT diet, heating pad, rest, pain relievers can help calm a mild diverticulitis attack.
Takeaway. A clear liquid fast for two or three days is recommended for treating acute diverticulitis. Research is lacking for the regular use of intermittent fasting to prevent flares of diverticular disease, but intermittent fasting is effective for underlying risk factors such as obesity and diabetes.
The most common symptom of diverticulitis is belly or abdominal pain. The most common sign that you have it is feeling sore or sensitive on the left side of your lower belly. If infection is the cause, then you may have fever, nausea, vomiting, chills, cramping, and constipation. Diverticular colitis.
Diverticulitis symptoms are more noticeable and include severe abdominal pain and fever. Diverticulitis can be acute or chronic. With the acute form, you may have one or more severe attacks of infection and inflammation.
Symptoms of diverticulitis are more severe and often start suddenly, but they may become worse over a few days.
However, when pain is present, it may last for several days after treatment starts. For complicated cases of diverticulitis, the pain may last longer. If the pain doesn't improve after treatment starts, is severe, or lasts for more than several days, it's important to be examined by a healthcare provider.
However, you should seek immediate medical attention if your symptoms are not going away or you are feeling worse, such as having increasing pain, fever, bloody stools, or abdominal bloating with vomiting. Treatment depends on whether you have uncomplicated or complicated diverticulitis.
Alcohol may lead to gastric irritation and trigger diverticulitis symptoms. Consumption of alcohol may also increase the frequency of flare-ups. Talk to your healthcare provider if you have diverticulitis symptoms. They may advise you to avoid alcohol completely to prevent the condition from worsening.
Your diet was likely lacking protein during your flare-up, and eggs will help you get plenty of it. “Eggs are a great source of protein, and they're easily digested,” Dr. Nazarian says. And they won't irritate your diverticula.
Plus, probiotics have anti-inflammatory effects, which may help to ease inflammation from diverticulitis. Probiotics are available in supplement form, but they can also be found in certain foods, such as yogurt, kombucha, and fermented vegetables.
Take fiber supplements — You can take fiber supplements like Metamucil, Citrucel or Benefiber to bulk up your stool. Seeds and nuts — In the past we advised diverticulitis patients to avoid whole pieces of fiber, like seeds, corn and nuts.