Diverticulitis And Diet
Roy Thomsitt
What Is Diverticulitis?
Diverticulitis is another one of those conditions that has
followed from industrialization, and a fundamental change in
eating habits to a diet of processed food. The condition
emerged after milling became commonplace in Western countries,
starting in the US. Milling grains strips out valuable fibre,
and since the early 20th century a shortage of fibre in diets
has been commonplace amongst the American, and other Western,
population.
Diverticulitis actually follows on from a condition called
diverticulosis, which tends to come with age, particularly over
60. Diverticulosis is quite common, and past the age of 60 about
half the population have this condition. With diverticulosis
people experience the formation of small pouches in the
intestinal tracts. These pouches are called diverticula. They
are, in themselves, harmless, and most people never know they
have them.
If diverticula become inflamed or infected, however, then the
patient will experience pain in the abdominal region. Only a
relatively small percentage of people with diverticulosis
develop diverticulitis, and many of these are mild cases which
can be treated with rest and diet change. More serious cases
may require surgery.
What Should A Diverticulitis Diet Include?
If diverticulitis has been diagnosed by your doctor, and is
confirmed as a mild case, then your doctor will probably
recommend some dietary changes. Although a shortage of fibre in
the diet over a number of years may have caused the condition,
once you have it, your doctor may ask you to cut down on fibre
even more for a few days, as it may aggravate the pain.
Your treatment is likely to include antibiotics to kill the
infection, and it is vital you finish your course and take your
doctor's advice. In about half of cases of diverticulitis, the
patient will be hospitalised; the other half will be treated at
home. So it is wise while you are home to stick to the
diverticulitis diet recommended by your doctor.
When the infection is cleared and the diverticulitis is no
longer a problem, then you will be able to concentrate on
prevention, but again you should take your doctor's advice.
Diverticulitis Prevention Diet
The cause of diverticulosis is a diet too low in fibre. The
prevention of the condition should therefore attempt to redress
that balance. The diverticulitis diet should be well balanced,
but include high fibre foods such as fresh fruits, vegetables
and whole grains. I am sure you have heard that before when a
healthy diet is mentioned. Such a diet can help prevent a
number of chronic diseases.
A fibre supplement may be helpful. I have used psyllium for
more than a decade, and find it an excellent source of soft
fibre, and for cleansing the digestive system it is ideal, as
the psyllium forms a gel like texture when mixed with water.
The water itself plays an important role in producing a soft
stool, and especially when mixed with fibre. So, you should
have plenty of water in your diverticulitis diet. Throw in half
an hour exercise a day, and your bowel and digestive system
should keep in good shape.
About The Author: Roy Thomsitt is the owner and part author of
http://www.routes-to-self-improvement.com
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