What should you eat when you have a diverticulitis flare up?

As mentioned, foods you can eat are high-fiber foods for the most part, which are whole grains, rice, quinoa, vegetables, fruits like apples and bananas, potatoes, yogurt, and cottage cheese. At first, you may opt for low-fiber foods until you start feeling better, then you can incorporate high-fiber foods.

Following a special diet won’t reverse the presence of diverticulosis, but many theorize that diverticuli – pouches or sacs in the intestinal wall – occur from a Western, low-fiber diet. A common misconception is that nuts and seeds will aggravate diverticulosis causing painful inflammation resulting in diverticulitis.

If one or more of the diverticula become inflamed, however, that condition is diverticulitis. A mild case of diverticulitis may go away on its own without any treatment. When treatment is necessary, antibiotics and a liquid or low-fiber diet may be all that is necessary to resolve symptoms.

What Are the Symptoms of Diverticulitis, and How Is This Form of Colitis Diagnosed?

Abdominal pain or tenderness.

Change in bowel habits.

Fever.

Chills.

Nausea and vomiting.

Frequent urination.

Loss of appetite.

Constipation.

The most common signs and symptoms of diverticulitis include:

Abdominal pain (left lower abdomen)

Abdominal tenderness (left lower abdomen)

Fever.

Elevated white blood cell count in the blood.

Constipation or, sometimes, diarrhea.

One typical oral antibiotic regimen is a combination of ciprofloxacin (or trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole) and metronidazole. Moxifloxacin is appropriate monotherapy for outpatient treatment of uncomplicated diverticulitis. Amoxicillin/clavulanic acid monotherapy is acceptable as well.

The two main types of surgery for diverticulitis are: Bowel resection with primary anastomosis: In this procedure, your surgeon removes any infected colon (known as a colectomy) and sews together the cut ends of the two healthy pieces from either side of the previously infected area (anastomosis).

Diverticulosis occurs when small, bulging pouches (diverticula) develop in your digestive tract. When one or more of these pouches become inflamed or infected, the condition is called diverticulitis.

The seeds in tomatoes, zucchini, cucumbers, strawberries, and raspberries, as well as poppy seeds, should not cause any problems. If you do not have diverticulosis but simply want a healthier, high-fiber diet, there should be no problem with eating any of these seeds.

Acute Diverticulitis Symptoms

Lower abdominal pain (occurs on left side in 70 percent of patients; often described as crampy)

Change in bowel habits.

Nausea and vomiting.

Constipation.

Diarrhea.

Flatulence.

Bloating.

Fever.

And no special diet has been proved to prevent attacks. In the past, people with small pouches (diverticula) in the lining of the colon were told to avoid nuts, seeds and popcorn. High-fiber foods, such as fruits, vegetables and whole grains, soften waste and help it pass more quickly through your colon.

Diverticula are pouches that occur along your digestive tract, most often in your colon (large intestine). These pouches form when weak spots in the intestinal wall balloon outward. When these pouches become inflamed, or bacteria gather in them and cause an infection, you have diverticulitis.

Examples of low-fiber foods include:

Canned or cooked fruits without skin or seeds.

Canned or cooked vegetables such as green beans, carrots and potatoes (without the skin)

Eggs, fish and poultry.

Refined white bread.

Fruit and vegetable juice with no pulp.

Low-fiber cereals.

Milk, yogurt and cheese.

If you have symptoms such as bloating, constipation or diarrhea, or pain in your lower abdomen, see your doctor. If you have diverticulosis and develop diverticular bleeding or diverticulitis, these conditions also cause symptoms.

Gradually you can ease back into a regular diet. Your doctor may advise you to start with low-fiber foods (white bread, meat, poultry, fish, eggs, and dairy products) before introducing high-fiber foods. Many studies show that eating fiber-rich foods can help control diverticular symptoms.

What foods should I eat if I have diverticulitis?

white rice, white bread, or white pasta (though you should be careful to avoid gluten-containing foods if intolerant)

dry, low-fiber cereals.

processed fruits such as applesauce or canned peaches.

cooked animal proteins such as fish, poultry, or eggs.

Foods that are high in insoluble fiber are:

whole wheat bread and baked goods.

wheat bran.

whole grain breads.

vegetables and fruits, especially the skins.

peanuts.

Brazil nuts.

popcorn.

brown rice.

If left untreated, diverticulitis can lead to serious complications that require surgery, including: Abscesses may form around the infected diverticula. If these go through the intestinal wall, you may develop peritonitis, a potentially fatal infection that requires immediate treatment.

The signs and symptoms of diverticulitis include: Pain, which may be constant and persist for several days. Pain is usually felt in the lower left side of the abdomen, but may occur on the right, especially in people of Asian descent. Nausea and vomiting.

The following foods are generally allowed in a clear liquid diet:

Water (plain, carbonated or flavored)

Fruit juices without pulp, such as apple or white grape juice.

Fruit-flavored beverages, such as fruit punch or lemonade.

Carbonated drinks, including dark sodas (cola and root beer)

Gelatin.

Originally posted 2022-03-31 02:20:00.