Diverticular disease and diverticulitis
Eating a high-fibre diet may help prevent diverticular disease, and should improve your symptoms.
Your diet should be balanced and include at least five portions of fruit and vegetables a day, plus whole grains. Adults should aim to eat 18g (0.6oz) to 30g (1.05oz) of fibre a day, depending on their height and weight. Your GP can provide a more specific target, based on your individual height and weight.
It's recommended that you gradually increase your fibre intake over the course of a few weeks. This will help prevent side effects associated with a high-fibre diet, such as bloating and flatulence (wind). Drinking plenty of fluids will also help prevent side effects.
If you have established diverticular disease, it may be suggested that you avoideatingnuts, corn and seedsdue tothe possibility thatthey could block the diverticular openings and cause diverticulitis. People usually find out themselves if these foods cause symptoms. Probiotics have also been recommended, but evidence is lacking. Overall, there is a lack of good quality scientific evidence on how to prevent diverticular disease.
Good sources of fibre include
Once you have reached your fibre target, stick to it for the rest of your life, if possible.
More detailed information on sources of fibre is provided below.
Good sources of fibre in fresh fruit (plus the amount of fibre that is found in typical portions) include:
Good sources of fibre in dried fruit (plus the amount of fibre found in typical portions) include:
Good sources of fibre in vegetables (plus the amount of fibre found in typical portions) include:
Good sources of fibre in nuts (plus the amount of fibre found in typical portions) include:
Good sources of fibre in breakfast cereals (plus the amount of fibre found in typical portions) include:
Note the "own-brand" equivalents of the cereals mentioned above shouldcontain similar levels of fibre.
Good sources of fibre in starchy food (plus the amount found in typical portions) include:
Fibre supplements usually in the form of sachets of powder you mix with water are also available from pharmacists and health food shops. Some contain sweetener. A tablespoon of fibre supplement contains around 2.5g of fibre.If you require long-term fibre supplements, your GP can prescribe them.
Diverticular disease and diverticulitis are related digestive conditions that affect the large intestine (colon).
Symptoms of diverticular disease and diverticulitis include abdominal pain, bloating and a change in normal bowel habits.
Diverticular disease and diverticulitis are caused by small bulges in the large intestine (diverticula) developing and becoming inflamed or infected.
In order to diagnosis diverticular disease it is necessary to examine the large intestine, which can be done in a number of ways.
Treatment options for diverticular disease and diverticulitis depend on how severe your symptoms are
Complications of diverticulitis affect one in five people with the condition. Those most at risk are younger people (under 50 years of age).
Eating a high-fibre diet may help prevent diverticular disease, and should improve your symptoms.