Diverticulitis occurs when pockets in the wall of the intestine, called diverticula, become inflamed or infected. Sufferers of diverticulitis can find relief by following a diverticulitis diet. A low reside diet is recommended during the flare up periods of diverticulitis to decrease the volume of bowel so the infection may heal.

An intake of less than 10 grams of fiber per day is generally considered a low residue diverticulitis diet. Treatment of diverticulitis depends on the severity of the symptoms and how often the attacks occur. Mild cases of diverticulitis may be treated with diet, rest, and antibiotics. Severe cases may eventually require surgery to remove the diseased portion of the colon.

A diet designed for diverticulitis patients should also focus on drinking plenty of water every day in order to enable the fiber to work its magic. Fiber works by absorbing water and increasing the soft and bulky waste in the colon. If the body does not get enough liquid to replace what is absorbed, fiber has the opposite result and leads to constipation.

Until recently, many doctors suggested avoiding foods with small seeds such as tomatoes or strawberries because they believed tat particles could lodge in the diverticula and cause inflammation. Foods such as nuts, popcorn hulls, and sunflower, pumpkin, cucumbers, strawberries, and raspberries, including poppy seeds, are generally considered harmless.

The treatment needed for diverticulitis depends on how bad the symptoms are and whether an infection exists. In general there are a small percentage of people whose condition will move from diverticulosis to diverticulitis. This disease is generally seen in almost half of all Americans over the age of 60, but it is diagnosed to a lesser degree to many who are in their 40′s.

The problem seems to increase with age as the weak areas of the colon continue to balloon out and result in pockets. Ballooning is caused by pressure such as exertion when a person is constipated by lack of fiber in their diet or because of certain medications. It has also been attributed to some gallbladder surgeries that have positioned the gall duct to drip directly into the intestines after the gallbladder has been removed.

It is very possible to minimize the effects of the diverticulitis in those who have already developed the condition. Choosing to convert to a diet which is aimed to control diverticulitis later in life can have significant health benefits. The recommended amount of fiber everyone needs to maintain a healthy colon is generally between 20 and 35 grams of fiber every day.

Adding foods like baked beans, brown rice, bran, oats, pears, and squash can easily provide the necessary fiber for anyone. There are also many supplemental products that can be ingested which offer a valuable amount of fiber that is part of a diverticulitis diet treatment.

For patients who already have developed colon problems, there are also foods that should be restricted from the typical diet in order to avoid problems. This disease can be managed in many ways, diet being one of the easiest.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/diseases-and-conditions-articles/diet-and-diverticulitis-easing-pain-reducing-flareups-through-diet-568673.html

About the Author

Dee Braun, a single mom of 6, is a Certified Aromatherapist and natural health practitioner. Click now to visit Remedies4.com at http://www.remedies4.com/ – a large directory full of free natural health ebooks covering common ailments, illnesses, health conditions and natural healing techniques.

Here are some of the most important questions you should ask your doctor.

What causes diverticulitis?

What are the symptoms of diverticulitis?

What type of diet should I be eating?

• How do I get more fiber in my diet?
• Are there foods that I should be eating?
• Is it okay to drink coffee or tea, or alcohol?

What should I do if my symptoms become worse?

• Do I need to change what I eat?
• Are there medicines that I should take?
• When should I call the doctor?

Is it safe to take natural remedies that help diverticulitis such as AloeElite, Primebiotics, or Powdered Barley Grass Juice, among others?

What are the complications of diverticulitis?

Will I ever need surgery?

Grain Products:

• enriched refined white bread, bagels, english muffins, buns
• plain cereals e.g. Cheerios, Rice Krispies, Special K, Cornflakes, Cream of Wheat
• arrowroot cookies, plain melba toast, tea biscuits, soda crackers
• white rice, refined pasta and noodles
• avoid whole grains

Fruits:

• fruit juices except prune juice
• applesauce, grapes, honeydew melon, peaches, watermelon, apricots, banana (1/2), cantaloupe, canned fruit cocktail
• avoid raw and dried fruits, and berries.

Vegetables:

• vegetable juices
• potatoes (no skin)
• alfalfa sprouts, eggplant, lettuce, mushrooms, green/red peppers, potatoes (peeled), squash, zucchini, beets, green/yellow beans, carrots, celery, cucumber
• avoid vegetables from the cruciferous family such as broccoli, cauliflower, brussels sprouts, cabbage, kale, Swiss chard etc

Meat and Protein Choice:

• well-cooked, tender meat, fish and eggs
• avoid beans and lentils
• Avoid all nuts and seeds, as well as foods that may contain seeds (such as yogurt)

Dairy:

• as directed by your healthcare providers

2. Diverticulitis can be mild with only slight discomfort in the left lower abdomen.  If the symptoms progress to severe lower abdominal tenderness, pain, and fever, this may involve serious infection and your doctor should be contacted immediately.

3. An inadequate diet is considered the leading cause of diverticulitis flare ups.  Most health experts agree that the lack of fiber and bulk in the diet is the major cause of chronic constipation and diverticular disease.  Slowly add foods rich in fiber such as bran cereals, whole wheat breads, a variety of bean and fresh fruits and vegetables to your diet to keep the stools soft and bulky.

4. Although there is no scientific prove that small seeds, such as apple seeds, orange pits, watermelon seeds, grape pits, etc may increase the chances of a diverticulitis flare up, it is best recommend to remove the seeds and enjoy the fruits.  Diverticulitis varies according to the individual, and certain diet components may irritate you more than others.

5. Due to the inflammation process involved with diverticulitis, home remedies containing anti-inflammatory benefits such as AloeElite can aid in healing and soothing the lining of your intestines and colon irritated by diverticulosis.

Crohn’s disease affects men and women equally. There is also evidence that suggests a genetic link, putting individuals with the disease in the family at a higher risk. It is also suspected to have a large environmental component as evidences by the higher number of cases in western, industrialized countries. People who smoke are three times more likely to develop the disease that affect between 400,000 to 600,000 people in North America.

Crohn’s disease can be very difficult to diagnose due to its similarities to other intestinal disorders such as irritable bowel syndrome and ulcerative colitis. A thorough physical exam and a series of tests may be required to diagnose the disease. Blood tests are common in order to check for anemia, an indicator of bleeding in the intestines. These tests can also uncover a high white blood cell count, a sign of inflammation somewhere in the body. A stool sample can reveal bleeding or infection in the intestines. A doctor may also be required to conduct an upper gastrointestinal (GI) series to take a closer look at the small intestine. The test requires the patient to drink barium, a chalky substance that coats the lining of the small intestines. An X-ray is then taken and reveals inflammation and any abnormalities that may exist.

There are theories about what causes Crohn’s disease, but none have been proven. The most popular theory is that the body’s immune system reacts to a virus or bacterium by causing ongoing inflammation in the intestine. Currently, there are no known pharmaceutical or surgical cure for Crohn’s disease. There are, however, effective Crohn’s disease treatment options available that can alleviate the pain and embarrassment caused by the disease and produce long periods of remission, where there are no symptoms.

The Aloe Mucillaginous Polysaccharide molecules in AloeElite naturally control inflammation and help to mend the tissue that has been damaged, healing the ulcerations throughout the digestive tract over time.  By controlling the inflammation, AloeElite helps to control the excessive bowel movements, or diarrhea, that so often accompany the disease.  Whether the disease is localized or widespread throughout the digestive tract, AloeElite addresses the problem, as it supports the immune system and works throughout the digestive tract, from mouth to rectum. AloeElite can be used by children and adults of all ages, in all states of health. For effective Crohn’s disease treatment, use AloeElite is the natural solution.

If you are struggling with any of these symptoms on a consistent basis, most likely you are suffering from diverticulitis, ulcerative colitis, crohn’s disease, or IBS. The good news is that you are not alone, as hundreds of thousands of people around the world struggle with these chronic digestive diseases every day. These diseases are characterized by inflammation of the colon, and are a group of conditions which are inflammatory and auto-immune, affecting the tissue that lines the gastrointestinal system.

There are theories about what causes chronic digestive diseases like ulcerative colitis,  Crohn’s Disease or IBS, but none have been scientifically proven. The most popular theory is that the body’s immune system overreacting to a virus or bacterium by causing ongoing inflammation in the intestinal wall. It is also believed that the cause of diverticular diseases is a low-fiber diet. But this is also a theory. The specific causes of chronic diseases are still vastly unknown, but the effects are not. These diseases are destroying the colon and intestinal system. If they aren’t treated, they will kill you.

In the more severe cases, patients may require surgery to remove the diseased colon. Traditional Western medical professionals often view surgery as a cure, but they tend to agree that it should only be considered in the most serious cases, when all other possibilities have been exhausted. There are alternatives. A natural healing supplement, AloeElite, can help lengthen periods of remission by naturally supporting the immune system and bringing the body to a more normal level of functionality through the ingestion of aloe vera pills.

AloeElite is a healing supplement that benefits every cell, tissue and organ in the body. The healing ingredient in AloeElite, Aloe Mucilaginous Polysaccharide, goes to work as a potent anti-inflammatory within the aloe vera pills. It will help eliminate diarrhea, bring the body back to a more normal functionality, act as an intercellular antioxidant, and it will rebuild and repair the protective mucosa lining throughout the digestive tract and mends the damaged tissue in the colon. Most people who use AloeElite have moderate to severe ulcerative colitis and have a 97 to 98 percent success rate. If you are suffering from digestive diseases and need relief, go to www.aloeelite.com to order your bottle today.

1. Keep in mind that a high-fiber diet may tend to improve:
   • Chronic constipation
   • Coronary heart disease
   • Hemorrhoids
   • Diabetes mellitus
   • Diverticular disease
   • Elevated cholesterol
   • Irritable bowel syndrome
   • Colorectal cancer
2. Try to double your daily fiber intake.
   • Average American intake: 10-15 grams per day
   • Recommended intake: 20-35 grams per day
3. Understand what fiber is, where it comes from:
   • Insoluble fiber
     • Cereals
     • Wheat/wheat bran
     • Whole grains
   • Soluble fiber
     • Brans
     • Fruit
     • Oatmeal/oat bran
     • Psyllium
     • Vegetables
4. Substitute high-fiber foods for high-fat and low-fiber foods.
5. Keep your daily fiber intake stable. Consider a fiber supplement if you:
   • Travel
   • Eat away from home often
   • Find it difficult to get enough fiber through food choices alone
6. Don’t shock your system: Increase fiber levels in your diet gradually.
7. Always increase fluids (water, soup, broth, juices) when you increase fiber.
8. Add both soluble and insoluble fiber, from a variety of sources.
9. Compare fiber content of foods:
   

   Grams of Fiber
   Bowl of thick vegetable (minestrone) soup	1

10. Choose foods high in fiber content.
    

    Fruits and Vegetables Highest in Fiber Per Serving
    Fruits Artichokes Apples, pears (with skin) Berries (blackberries, blueberries, raspberries) Dates Figs Prunes	Vegetables Beans (baked, black, lima, pinto) Broccoli Chick-peas Lentils Parsnips Peas Pumpkin Rutabaga Squash (winter)

    Other Good Fiber Choices

Eating high-fiber foods is a healthy choice for most people. If you have ever received medical treatment for a digestive problem, however, it is very important that you check with your doctor to find out if a high-fiber diet is the right choice for you.

Answer

Diverticulitis occurs when small, bulging pouches (diverticula) in your digestive tract become infected and inflamed — causing severe abdominal pain, fever and nausea. Treatment of diverticulitis depends on the severity of your symptoms and whether this is your first attack. Mild cases of diverticulitis can be treated with changes in diet, rest and antibiotics. Severe cases may eventually require surgery to remove the diseased portion of your colon.

During a mild attack of diverticulitis, your doctor may recommend a clear liquid diet or a low-fiber diet. This helps the area of infection to heal.

Foods allowed on a clear-liquid diet include:

• Plain water
• Fruit juices without pulp
• Broth (bouillon or consumme)
• Gelatin
• Popsicles without bits of fruit or fruit pulp
• Tea or coffee without cream

Foods allowed on a low-fiber diet include:

• Enriched white bread
• White rice or plain pasta, noodles or macaroni
• Low-fiber cereals
• Most raw, canned or cooked fruits without skins, seeds or membranes
• Fruit juice with little or no pulp
• Canned or well-cooked vegetables without seeds, hulls or skins
• Tender meat, poultry and fish
• Eggs
• Smooth peanut butter
• Milk, yogurt or cheese without seeds or nuts
• Desserts without seeds or nuts

Once your symptoms improve — often within a few days — you can gradually increase the amount of fiber in your diet. Start by adding about 5 to 15 grams of fiber a day to allow your digestive system to adjust to the higher fiber intake.

To prevent attacks of diverticulitis:

• Eat more fiber. High-fiber foods, such as fresh fruits and vegetables and whole grains, soften waste and help it pass more quickly through your colon. This reduces pressure within your digestive tract. Aim for 25 to 30 grams of fiber a day. If you have a difficult time consuming this much fiber every day, consider using a fiber supplement, such as psyllium (Metamucil, Nature’s Way) or methylcellulose (Citrucel).
• Drink plenty of fluids. Fiber works by absorbing water and increasing the soft, bulky waste in your colon. But if you don’t drink enough liquid to replace what is absorbed, fiber can be constipating.
• Exercise regularly. Exercise promotes normal bowel function and reduces pressure inside your colon, decreasing your chances of forming diverticula.

In some cases during colonoscopy, if a polyp or abnormal tissue is found, your doctor may remove it at that time. Alternatively, a tissue sample (biopsy) of the polyp may be taken for lab analysis to determine whether subsequent surgical removal of the tissue is needed.

How do you prepare?
For the colonoscopy procedure to be accurate, your colon must be well prepared. It must be clear of stool and fluids that obscure the view of the colon and rectal lining.

What you do the day before the exam directly affects how well your colon can be examined. To prepare your colon, you’ll likely be asked to do the following during the 24 hours before the exam:

Stop taking iron pills or medications containing iron, as iron can alter the color of your colon lining.
Take laxatives and sometimes enemas prescribed by your doctor.
Avoid eating solid foods and opaque liquids.
Drink only clear, nonalcoholic liquids such as black coffee, tea, water, or clear broth and juices. Eat only soft foods such as Jell-O — but not red Jell-O.
Avoid liquids that are red in color, as they can look red in the colon and be confused with blood.
Take a five-minute walk every 10 minutes during the time you’re drinking the laxative, but stay near a toilet.
During this preparation time, you may have a frequent and urgent need to use the toilet, due to the laxatives.

On exam day you may be asked to fast. In some cases your diet is again restricted to clear, nonalcoholic liquids up to four to six hours before the exam. At this point you stop ingesting anything, including any medications, until after the procedure.

If you have diabetes or take blood thinners, including aspirin or other pain relievers, your preparation for colonoscopy may be slightly different. Remind your doctor of either of these factors at least seven days ahead of the test, to see if you need additional instructions.

In rare instances phosphate-based colon-cleansing solutions have caused kidney damage in certain groups of people. These groups include healthy older adults, those taking medication for hypertension, arteriosclerosis or heart disease, and those with chronic kidney disease. You may be given a different type of laxative solution if you fit in one of these categories.

How is it done?
A colonoscopy can be relatively painless when performed by an experienced practitioner. However, the exam can cause sufficient anxiety and pain, so people generally tolerate the procedure better when they have some form of anesthesia. Most often you’ll receive a mild sedative either alone or with an opiate pain medication administered intravenously to minimize any discomfort.

During the exam you’ll likely lie on your left side. Your doctor inserts the colonoscope into your rectum. Colonoscopes are disinfected between procedures, so the risk of transmission of infection is extremely low. The colonoscope is long enough to allow your doctor to view the entire length of your colon. It contains a fiber-optic light and a channel that allows your doctor to pump air into your colon, inflating it to get a better view of the interior lining. You may feel some abdominal cramping or pressure as the air is introduced.

The colonoscope also contains a tiny video camera at its tip. The camera transmits images to an external monitor so that your doctor can look closely at the inside of your colon. Your doctor can insert instruments through the colonoscope’s channel to remove polyps, take tissue samples, inject solutions or destroy (cauterize) tissues.

If a polyp or abnormal tissue is found, your doctor may choose to remove it with a snare or destroy it with cautery. Or he or she might take a biopsy or advise surgical removal, depending on the size of the mass.

A colonoscopy exam usually takes about 20 minutes to an hour.

After the procedure
After the exam is over, it takes about an hour to partially recover from the sedative. You’ll need someone to take you home because it can take up to a day for the full effects of the sedative to wear off. Rest and don’t drive for the remainder of the day.

You may feel bloated or pass gas for a few hours after the exam. You should feel better as you pass the gas. Walking may lessen your discomfort. If you have persistent pain after the procedure, tell your doctor.

You may also see a small amount of blood with your first bowel movement. Usually this isn’t cause for alarm. See your doctor if you continue to pass blood or blood clots, have persistent abdominal pain, or have a fever of 100 F or higher.

These signs and symptoms may result from bleeding when a biopsy is taken or, rarely, from perforation of the colon wall. Although they’re rare, be alert for these signs and symptoms, as they can indicate the need for medical attention.

Results
Frequency of follow-up exams depends on the findings as well as the quality of the exam performed and should be discussed with your doctor. If a polyp or abnormal tissue was found during your colonoscopy that couldn’t be removed, your doctor may recommend subsequent surgery.

Negative test results. If no abnormalities are found, you can probably wait several years before repeating the exam, depending on your doctor’s recommendations.
Positive test results. If the colonoscopy reveals adenomatous polyps, you may have to adhere to a more rigorous screening schedule in the future, depending on the size and number of polyps. If your doctor finds one or two small polyps (less than 1 centimeter in diameter) you should undergo colonoscopy again in five to 10 years, depending on your other risk factors. If you have larger polyps, a greater number of polyps or polyps with certain cell characteristics, your doctor may recommend colonoscopy again in three to five years, depending on your other risk factors.
Consider asking your doctor if it was a good-quality exam. If your colon wasn’t completely empty of stool at the time of the exam, parts of the colon may have been obscured. If so, abnormalities may not have been seen. Your doctor may even recommend that you have another colonoscopy in a year’s time or even sooner.

In some cases, your doctor may not be able to advance the colonoscope far enough to examine your entire colon. This might occur, for example, because of an obstruction or a spasm of your colon. If so, your doctor may schedule a barium enema or virtual colonoscopy to complete the exam of your colon.