How to treat diverticulitis

Your digestive system houses your colon, which is lined with small sacs called diverticula. These sacs can often become inflamed. This inflammation is called diverticulitis.

A study in the Journal of Clinical Gastroenterology says that insufficient fibre intake often causes diverticulitis. It can be extremely painful, change your bowel movements and even bring on blood or mucus in your stools. You may also lose your appetite.

The most common symptoms of an attack are:

abdominal pain
nausea
vomiting
diarrhoea
constipation
bloating
fever
fatigue

Leaving this condition untreated and hoping it’ll sort itself out is asking for trouble. It can lead to serious complications if the infection spreads. If you have any of these symptoms, have it checked out as soon as you can by a doctor.

Treating the condition

Your treatment will depend on the severity of your symptoms. If you don’t have severe stomach cramps, your symptoms aren’t too bad, and you’re able to hold down food and liquids, your doctor will most likely suggest:

A course of antibiotics and some antispasmodic drugs to relieve stomach cramps.
Changes to your diet; bland foods and clear liquids until you start feeling better.
An increase in your fibre intake as soon as your symptoms start to clear.

Sometimes, the symptoms can become so severe that you’re unable to hold down food and liquids. In that case, you will need an IV drip to receive medicine and liquids. This will also help your bowels and digestive tract to rest so you can heal faster.

Healing foods

As you recover, your doctor will recommend a liquid diet, followed by bland low-fibre food. Good examples of what to eat and drink when you have diverticulitis include:

Broths
Tea without milk
Clear fruit juice without pulp
Water
Refined white bread
White rice, pasta or noodles
Fruity ice lollies without pips or pulp

Foods that aggravate diverculitis:

Popcorn
Sesame and flaxseeds
Red meat
Processed or deep-fried foods
Spicy foods

When in doubt, talk to your doctor about what you should and shouldn’t be eating. If you find that any food makes your symptoms worse, it’s a good idea to cut that out.

Keep diverticulitis at bay

Eat more fibre as you recover. Fibre softens up the stools, helping them to pass through your intestines easily. You’ll also suffer less with cramps and constipation by upping your fibre intake. Doctors recommend:

Include more fruit, vegetables and wheat bran in your diet.
Drink at least six glasses of water a day.
Go to the doctor regularly to monitor your condition.
Take probiotics to regulate the bacteria in your gut and to help fight inflammation.
Maintain a healthy weight. Studies show that an unhealthy weight can make you more likely to suffer from diverticulitis.

Treating the condition

Healing foods

Keep diverticulitis at bay

References