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Diverticulitis

Posted: Mon Apr 15, 2019 10:57 pm
by rosiespr
My regular bowel cancer screening via the NHS revealed that I have diverticulitis. I regularly get diarrhoea and wonder if there is any particular diet I should be following, or specific foods I should avoid.

Re: Diverticulitis

Posted: Thu Apr 18, 2019 8:42 pm
by Dr Mani Naghibi
Hi Rosie,

The advice for diverticular is to have a high fibre diet.

The true cause of your diarrhoea may not be the diverticular.

Your GP or a Gastroenterologist can investigate further.

Re: Diverticulitis

Posted: Thu Apr 18, 2019 8:55 pm
by Wendy Green
Hi Rosie,

I wonder if the screening revealed that you have diverticular disease (also known as diverticulosis) rather than diverticulitis?

Diverticular disease is where you develop small pouches in the walls of your intestines. It's fairly common in older people and can also be hereditary.

Many people who have diverticular disease aren't even aware of it, because the diverticula are usually painless and cause few symptoms, if any. However, if you do have symptoms, they could include tummy pain during or after eating, diarrhoea or constipation and mucus in your poo. Eating a high-fibre diet - 30g daily - may help relieve your symptoms and help you to avoid diverticulitis. Good sources of fibre include fresh and dried fruits and vegetables, beans and pulses, nuts, oats, wholewheat bread, pasta and cereals and brown rice.

Diverticulitis is where these pouches become inflamed and infected. The symptoms are more severe and include constant, more severe tummy pain, a high temperature of 38C or above, feeling or being sick, blood in your poo, or from your bottom, and generally feeling unwell.

If you have diverticulitis your GP may suggest a fluid-only diet for a few days until your symptoms improve. While you're recovering, a low-fibre diet (white bread & pasta, cornflakes etc.) is usually recommended, to give your digestive system a rest. Once your symptoms have gone, you can usually go back to eating a high-fibre diet.

It sounds as though you probably have diverticular disease rather than diverticulitis, so you could benefit from eating a high-fibre diet. However, if you notice a worsening of your symptoms and you think you might have diverticulitis, you should seek medical advice, as you will probably need treatment with antibiotics and a low-fibre diet.

Re: Diverticulitis

Posted: Thu Apr 18, 2019 10:18 pm
by rosiespr
Thank you so much. Yes, I believe I have diverticular disease, so will try and follow a high fibre diet as suggested.

Re: Diverticulitis

Posted: Fri Apr 19, 2019 6:05 pm
by Julie Thompson
Hi Rosie

Yes, I would concur with the high fibre diet - the best way to treat the condition is to keep the bowel moving. If you are not used to a high fibre diet then increase your wholegrain content and fruit and vegetables slowly - one portion per day to allow your bowel to adjust. see here for more advice on wholegrains and fruits and vegetables and what counts as a portion here https://www.bda.uk.com/foodfacts/home

If you struggle with a high fibre diet ask your GP to refer you to a dietitian who could advise on specific types of fibre for your situation. Also, ensure that you are drinking plenty of fluids along with the fibre 6-8 glasses a day are fine and no fluid is unsuitable really (water, dilutable juice, tea, coffee)

You can read more about diverticular here https://gutscharity.org.uk/advice-and-i ... r-disease/

Kind regards