Soft & Low Roughage Diets for Diverticulitis

The large intestine or colon may contain small pouches called diverticula. When the pouches, or diverticula, are inflamed, the condition is called diverticulitis. Treating diverticulitis depends on the severity of symptoms. Hospitalization or antibiotics, along with diet change, will aid in treatment.

Cause

• Diverticula are located most commonly in the lower portion of the large intestine, called the sigmoid colon. Physicians believe the main cause for diverticulitis is a low-fiber diet, causing constipation.The pouches then bulge outward through weak spots. This may happen when straining to pass a bowel movement. Age may also be a causative factor. Diverticulitis occurs in about half of all Americans who are 60 and older.

Symptoms

• Diverticulitis occurs when the diverticula become filled with stool or bacteria. Abdominal pain with lower-left-sided tenderness is the most common symptom. Pain may worsen over several days or come on suddenly and severely. Cramping or changes in bowel habits, fever, nausea and vomiting may be present.

Treatment

• Treatment varies, depending on the severity of the diverticulitis. Mild and uncomplicated symptoms may require rest, oral antibiotics and diet changes. Severe cases may involve a hospital stay, intravenous antibiotics and surgery if warranted.

Diet

• Liquid diets may need to be initiated when a mild case of diverticulitis is diagnosed. Food items can then be increased once symptoms begin to resolve. Slowly introduce a soft and low-roughage diet, such as low-fiber cereals and well-cooked vegetables without seeds or skins. Canned fruits, milk, eggs, poultry, fish and tender meats work well with this type of diet. A high-fiber diet may then be recommended after diverticulitis symptoms are no longer present. The diet depends on the physician and is not used to treat diverticulitis, but to aid in treatment.